Group Representations, Ergodic Theory, and Mathematical Physics

Book excerpt: George Mackey was an extraordinary mathematician of great power and vision. His profound contributions to representation theory, harmonic analysis, ergodic theory, and mathematical physics left a rich legacy for researchers that continues today. This book is based on lectures presented at an AMS special session held in January 2007 in New Orleans dedicated to his memory. The papers, written especially for this volume by internationally-known mathematicians and mathematical physicists, range from expository and historical surveys to original high-level research articles. The influence of Mackey's fundamental ideas is apparent throughout. The introductory article contains recollections from former students, friends, colleagues, and family as well as a biography describing his distinguished career as a mathematician at Harvard, where he held the Landon D. Clay Professorship of Mathematics.