The Man Who Declined 1,000,000 USD and the Highest Honor in Math
A fascinating story of the genius Russian mathematician, Grigori Perelman
Grigori Perelman was born on 13th June 1966 in Russia. He is perhaps one of the greatest Mathematicians to be born on the face of the Earth. His contributions to several fields of Mathematics such as geometric analysis, Riemannian geometry, and geometric topology make him one of the vital figures in Maths. The most shocking outcome of his life choices is perhaps his refusal of The Fields medal. He, in 2006, refused one million dollars for his proof of one of the most challenging problems in the field of Mathematics.
There was an open problem designated to be solved by the greatest minds of the world called the Poincaré Conjecture. This problem was one of the seven initial millennial prize problems designated by Clay mathematics institute. This problem was proposed by Henry Poincare for the first time in 1904 and recognized that it was a key topology problem in the field of mathematics. Only the 3 dimensional proof of the problem seemed to be impossible to crack as other dimensional proof had been done prior. 1n 1960, Stephen Smale solved the problem for the cases of 5 dimensions and more. Also, in 1982, Michael Freedman solved it for 4 dimensions but no one to date had a crack at it in the case of 3 dimensions. Gregory solved the problem for 3 dimensions and published it around 2003.
The Fields medal is often compared to the mathematical equivalent of the Nobel prize itself. This medal is awarded every four years and is not restricted to only one person or the group as several can be awarded at once. The year Grigori Perelman was awarded the fields medal, several other mathematicians such as Terence Tao, Andrei Okunkov, and Wendelin Werner were also awarded the medal for their contribution in the respective fields of Maths. But among them all, Perelman was the one who refused the medal. When asked about his refusal of the Prize and the Medal, he said,
“I don’t want to be on display like an animal in a zoo. I’m not a hero of mathematics. I’m not even that successful; that is why I don’t want to have everybody looking at me.”
To his core, he believed that the Mathematical community is corrupt and unethical. He had this belief that, when you’re successful, everyone forms a gamut around you, but when you’re struggling and alone, no one really pays that much attention to your life. When Gregori exclaimed that he was going to solve the problem years prior, No one really paid attention to his claims. The Mathematics community was biased and unjust toward Grigori’s work. When he published the proof for the first time, The Mathematics community overlooked his work by saying that it was just another failed attempt at the problem and that a common mathematician like him couldn’t have solved it. This generated a personal vendetta in Grigori’s heart against the community as they’d lost all his respect.
As soon as his proof was recognized in the community, an avalanche of opportunity flooded his way. Mathematicians wanted to collaborate with him, universities and institutions invited him for talks, and many more. His accomplishments were downplayed by another renowned mathematician Shing-Tung Yau when he promoted Cao and Zhu’s work instead of Grigory’s for the solving of problems.
Grigori believed that half of the prize should be given to Richard S. Hamilton as his ideas (Ricci flow) were the foundation used by Grigori to solve the Conjecture which was later refused. He began his tour to several prestigious universities such as MIT and gave talks when his proof was recognized but again, soon after, he stopped making public appearances. Grigori was not a mathematician chasing fame or recognition. He just loved doing what he knows best, analyzing and solving Mathematical problems. This, together with blasphemy from the Mathematics community for not accepting new ideas presented in front of them compelled Grigori’s heart to be forever cold towards them which he showed by refusing to accept The Fields medal itself.
There’s a brilliant book written by Masha Gessen titled Perfect Rigor: A Genius and the Mathematical Breakthrough of the Century which is entirely based on the genius of the Russian mathematician and his refusal of the Medal.
Contributed by Rishab Karki and curated by the author.
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