On 26 March 1913, Paul Erdős was born: one of the most prolific and influential mathematicians of the 20th century, a legendary figure not only for his academic contributions, but also for his eccentric lifestyle and his unique vision of mathematics as a collaborative and universal activity.
Born in Budapest, Hungary, to a Jewish family, Erdős lived a nomadic existence, traveling incessantly between conferences, universities and colleagues' homes, with a suitcase and a few personal belongings, dedicating his life entirely to mathematics.
He is known for his work in fields such as number theory, combinatorics, graph theory and probability. He published over 1,500 papers before his death in 1996, collaborating with more than 500 co-authors, a record that gave rise to the famous "Erdős number", an index measuring the collaborative distance between a mathematician and Erdős himself through joint publications. Among his most famous results are the Erdős-Kac theorem (also known as the fundamental theorem of probabilistic number theory), his contributions to Ramsey theory, and his work on prime numbers. His ability to pose deep and challenging problems often opened up new avenues of research.
Erdős’s legacy goes beyond his theorems. He embodied an approach to mathematics as a collective, almost mystical enterprise: for him, mathematical problems were part of an ideal “Book,” written by some kind of transcendent entity, which mathematicians were tasked with discovering. His recurring phrase, “my brain is open,” reflected his willingness to collaborate with anyone, regardless of age, nationality, or prestige. This spirit inspired a culture of openness and sharing in the mathematical community. Erdős was also a symbol of cultural resilience. Growing up in a time of political turmoil and persecution of Jews in Europe, he transformed personal hardship into tireless creative energy. His minimalist lifestyle – he owned little, lived as a guest of others, and donated much of his earnings in prizes for solving mathematical problems – reflected an almost monastic dedication to knowledge.
Morally, Erdős represents an ideal of intellectual altruism. He did not seek personal fame or material wealth, but the advancement of knowledge for the common good. His generosity manifested itself in the monetary prizes he offered for solving problems he proposed, a way of stimulating the curiosity and talent of others. Furthermore, his refusal to conform to social conventions – he never married and did not have a permanent home – can be seen as a rebellion against materialism and a call to pursue what truly matters. Erdős was also deeply human: he loved to joke, invented terms such as "epsilons" for calling children (referring to the small mathematical quantity ε), and had an inclusive ethic that made him a friend to all. His death from a heart attack, while attending a conference in Warsaw on 20 September 1996, was emblematic: he died doing what he loved, surrounded by the community he had helped build.
Paul Erdős left a legacy that intertwines mathematical brilliance, a collaborative cultural approach, and a moral example of selfless dedication. His life demonstrates that true greatness lies not only in achievements, but in the way one lives and inspires others. To this day, his name is synonymous with creativity, connection, and a passion for discovery.
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Image: Erdős with Terence Tao (ten-year-old ), 1985. Via Wikimedia Commons
References and further reading
N Is a Number: A Portrait of Paul Erdös
The Man Who Loved Only Numbers
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