- #1
g_the_b
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is perhaps Kevin Brown a new Nicolas Bourbaky?
Kevin Brown Math Pages: Math Genius?
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- Thread starter g_the_b
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SUMMARY
The discussion centers on the identity of Kevin Brown and his potential comparison to Nicolas Bourbaki, a pseudonymous group of mathematicians. It is established that Bourbaki is not a single individual but a collective, while Kevin Brown may be an alias for Fred Olson. The conversation highlights the importance of respecting Brown's desire for anonymity and references the historical context of Bourbaki, including its cessation of publishing when the identity of Serge Lang was revealed.
PREREQUISITES- Understanding of pseudonymous authorship in mathematics
- Familiarity with the history of Nicolas Bourbaki
- Knowledge of the significance of anonymity in academic discourse
- Awareness of the impact of identity revelation on collaborative works
- Research the history and contributions of Nicolas Bourbaki
- Explore the implications of pseudonyms in academic publishing
- Investigate the works of Fred Olson and their relevance to mathematics
- Learn about the ethics of anonymity in scholarly communication
Mathematicians, historians of mathematics, and anyone interested in the dynamics of authorship and anonymity in academic writing.
- #2
jedishrfu
Mentor
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There is some prior discussion on PF about Kevin Brown:
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/author-of-mathpages-com.146391/
As to being Bourbaki, you have to determine if Brown is a real person. If so then he can't be Bourbaki (pseudonym for a group of mathematicians publishing anonymously using Bourbaki's name and image). Bourbaki existed in real life however he was no mathematician but instead a government official in Napoleon's time.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolas_Bourbaki
and the real Bourbaki:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles-Denis_Bourbaki
With respect to Kevin Brown, he may be an alias for Fred Olson:
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/misc.int-property/HNwZkS2kS9A
Although from other readings I found, he may want to remain anonymous and that should be respected.
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/author-of-mathpages-com.146391/
As to being Bourbaki, you have to determine if Brown is a real person. If so then he can't be Bourbaki (pseudonym for a group of mathematicians publishing anonymously using Bourbaki's name and image). Bourbaki existed in real life however he was no mathematician but instead a government official in Napoleon's time.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolas_Bourbaki
and the real Bourbaki:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles-Denis_Bourbaki
With respect to Kevin Brown, he may be an alias for Fred Olson:
https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/misc.int-property/HNwZkS2kS9A
Although from other readings I found, he may want to remain anonymous and that should be respected.
Last edited:
- #3
Demystifier
Science Advisor
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When did Bourbaki stop writing books? When they realized that Serge Lang was a single person. 
- #4
g_the_b
- 2
- 0
thanks for help
as you say... respect
and I beg your pardon for the "way" I wrote Bourbak"y"
as you say... respect
and I beg your pardon for the "way" I wrote Bourbak"y"