Saunders Mac Lane: A Mathematical Autobiography

Saunders Mac Lane's life has covered nearly a century of mathematical developments. During the earlier part of the 20th century, he participated in the exciting happenings in G?ttingen-the Mecca of mathematics. Later, he contributed to the more abstract and general mathematical viewpoints developed in the 20th century. Perhaps the most outstanding accomplishment during his long and extraordinary career was creating the concept of categories together with Sam Eilenberg and developing them into a theory that has broad applications in different areas of mathematics, in particular topology and foundations. He was also a keen observer and active participant in the social and political themes of the 20th century. As a member and vice president of the National Academy of Science and an advisor to the Administration, he exerted considerable influence on science and education policies in the post-war period. Mac Lane's autobiography takes the reader on a journey through the most important milestones of the mathematical world in the 20th century.