Emmy Noether: The Mathematician Who Revolutionized Science

A Childhood in a Mathematical Environment

Born on March 23, 1882 in Erlangen, Germany, Amalie Emmy Noether (1882-1935) grew up in a family of mathematicians. Her father, Max Noether (1844-1921), was a renowned mathematics professor. Although women were then excluded from university studies in Germany, she obtained special permission to attend courses at the University of Erlangen.

An Academic Path Filled with Obstacles

After earning her doctorate in 1907 under the supervision of Paul Gordan (1837-1912) with a thesis on invariants, she worked without pay at the Mathematical Institute of Erlangen for 7 years.

In 1915, she was invited to Göttingen by David Hilbert (1862-1943) and Felix Klein (1849-1925) to work on the theory of general relativity. Despite opposition from some colleagues, she finally obtained the right to teach in 1919, becoming the first female tenured professor in Germany.

Noether's Theorem (1918): A Revolution in Physics

In 1918, Noether published her fundamental theorem which establishes a deep connection between:

• Symmetries of a physical system
• Conservation laws (energy, momentum, etc.)

This theorem, which Albert Einstein (1879-1955) called a "monument of mathematical thought," became a pillar of modern theoretical physics. It explains why:

• Time translation invariance implies energy conservation
• Space translation invariance implies momentum conservation
• Rotational invariance implies angular momentum conservation

Major Contributions to Algebra

Noether also revolutionized algebra with her work on:

• The theory of rings and fields
• The theory of ideals in commutative rings
• Homomorphisms and isomorphisms

Her concepts laid the foundations of modern algebra and still influence fields like algebraic topology and algebraic geometry today.

Exile in the United States and the End of Her Career

In 1933, due to her Jewish origins, Noether was expelled from the University of Göttingen by the Nazis. She emigrated to the United States where she obtained a position at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania.

Despite the difficulties, she continued her research and trained a new generation of mathematicians. She died prematurely in 1935 from complications of surgery, at only 53 years old.

Legacy and Posthumous Recognition

Today, Emmy Noether is considered one of the most important mathematicians in history. Her legacy includes:

• The theorem that bears her name, fundamental in theoretical physics
• The revolution of abstract algebra
• Inspiration for generations of women scientists

Many prizes and institutions bear her name, and she is often cited as an example of scientific genius who overcame the discriminations of her time.