Ramanujan's place in the world of mathematics : essays providing a comparative study / Krishnaswami Alladi.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Part 1. Ramanujan and other mathematical luminaries -- Ramanujan: An Estimation -- Ramanujan: The Second Century -- L.J. Rogers: A Contemporary of Ramanujan -- P.A. MacMahon: Ramanujan's Distinguished Contemporary -- Fermat and Ramanujan: A Comparison -- J.J. Sylvester: Ramanujan's Illustrious Predecessor -- Erdös and Ramanujan: Legends of Twentieth Century Mathematics -- C.G.J. Jacobi: Algorist par-excellence -- Evariste Galois: Founder of Group Theory -- Leonhard Euler: Most Prolific Mathematician in History -- G.H. Hardy: Ramanujan's Mentor -- J.E. Littlewood: Ramanujan's Contemporary and Hardy's Collaborator -- Niels Henrik Abel: Norwegian Mathematical Genius -- Issai Schur: Ramanujan's German Contemporary -- Robert Rankin: Scottish Link with Ramanujan -- Part 2. On Some Aspects of Ramanujan's Mathematics -- Ramanujan and [pi] -- Ramanujan and Partitions -- Major Progress on a Problem of Ramanujan -- Part 3. Book Reviews -- Genius Whom the Gods Loved--A Review of "Srinivasa Ramanujan: The Lost Notebook and Other Unpublished Papers" -- The Discovery and Rediscovery of Mathematical Genius--A Review of "The Man Who Knew Infinity: A Life of the Genius Ramanujan" -- A Review of "Ramanujan: Letters and Commentary" -- A Review of "Ramanujan: Essays and Surveys" -- A Review of "Partition: A Play on Ramanujan" -- Part 4. Preserving Ramanujan's Legacy -- The Ramanujan Journal: Its Conception, Need and Place -- A Pilgrimage to Ramanujan's Hometown -- The First SASTRA Ramanujan Prizes -- Ramanujan's Growing Influence.

This book is a collection of articles, all by the author, on the Indian mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujan as well as on some of the greatest mathematicians in history whose lives and works have things in common with Ramanujan. It presents a unique comparative study of Ramanujan's spectacular discoveries and remarkable life with the monumental contributions of various mathematical luminaries, some of whom, like Ramanujan, overcame great difficulties in life. Also, among the articles are reviews of three important books on Ramanujan's mathematics and life. In addition, some aspects of Ramanujan's contributions, such as his remarkable formulae for the number [pi], his pathbreaking work in the theory of partitions, and his fundamental observations on quadratic forms, are discussed. Finally, the book describes various current efforts to ensure that the legacy of Ramanujan will be preserved and continue to thrive in the future. Thus the book is an enlightening study of Ramanujan as a mathematician and a human being.--