The Abel Committee, consisting of five internationally recognized mathematicians praised Milnor “for pioneering discoveries in topology, geometry and algebra”. John Milnor will receive the Abel Prize from His Majesty King Harald at an award ceremony in Oslo on 24 May.
Milnor has had a vast impact on the field over a period of 60 years, he has received a number of prestigious awards, written several highly influential books, and had numerous mathematical concepts, results, and conjectures named after him.
The Abel Prize, after the outstanding Norwegian Mathematician Niels Henrik Abel, was awarded for the first time in 2003. The prize is awarded annually by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters for outstanding scientific work in the field of mathematics under the supervision of Professor Ragni Piene from the University of Oslo. The prize is one of the highest international commendations in the field of mathematics, and is accompanied by a range of seminars and activities in Norway with a special focus on young people to stimulate interest for mathematics.
More information about the Abel Prize