Interview with Elon Lages Lima is part of FGV’s Oral History program archive

One of the most important mathematicians in Brazil, Elon Lages Lima stood out for his research on differential topology, algebraic topology, and differential geometry. The former Director of the Institute of Pure and Applied Mathematics (IMPA), who passed away on May 7, at the age of 87, participated in the Oral History project of FGV’s School of Social Sciences (CPDOC), under the project of IMPA’s 50 years of history, in 2001 and 2002.

The testimonial sought to establish a collection of testimonials about the history of the institution and resulted in the publication of the book ‘IMPA – 50 anos’ [IMPA – 50 years]. The choice of the interviewee was justified by his importance in the field of Mathematics and by having been one of the first students at IMPA (since its establishment), where he worked as a researcher since 1958. In addition, he was Director of the Institute on three different occasions: 1969/71, 1979/80, and 1989/93; Creator and coordinator of the Euclid Project, the Mathematical University Collection, and the IMPA-VITAE Project (IMPA).

Originally from Maceió, Alagoas, Elon was one of the most prolific authors in his field, with more than 40 books published, and winner of two Jabuti Awards for Exact Sciences, of the Brazilian Book Chamber.

Elon Lages Lima’s testimonial is available, in Portuguese, on the website.