RePoSS #11: The Mathematics of Niels Henrik Abel: Continuation ...

they were under production. The endless effort which she put into her constructive
criticism has made my presentation more easily understandable and sharpened my
arguments considerably. For this, I am infinitely grateful.
Benefitting from my supervisor’s elaborate network, I have had the opportunity to
discuss aspects of my project with experts who have all been extremely forthcoming.
During my visit with professor H. J. M. BOS in Utrecht in November and Decem-
ber 1998, the foundation for the overall structure of the present work was laid and I
am greatly indebted to professor BOS for his always timely suggestions and contin-
ued kind interest. In May and June of 2000, I had the opportunity to visit professor
UMBERTO BOTTAZZINI in Palermo. Discussing my progress with one of the great-
est experts in the field was an unforgettable experience and I owe a lot of inspiration
to the kind counselling of professor BOTTAZZINI. Closer to home, professor JESPER
LÜTZEN has critically and constructively sharpened my research through a number
of discussions. In particular, LÜTZEN’S insightful and inspiring examination of my
progress report (1999) helped me improve its contents and made me aware of inter-
esting parallels also in need of consideration.
In Norway, historians of mathematics have taken a kind interest in my work. In
particular, I wish to thank professor REINHARD SIEGMUND-SCHULTZE for his com-
ments on a paper of mine; 5 the present dissertation has also benefitted from these
comments. The unsurpassable biography of ABEL had been written by ARILD STUB-
HAUG less than two years before I embarked on my project. 6 I deeply admire STUB-
HAUG’S cultural biography and enjoyed meeting with him to discuss our common
obsession. However, the greatest of my debts to him was that his work made it easier
for me to focus on my project: the (almost) exclusive study of ABEL’S mathematics.
For many years, I have enjoyed being part of the History of Science Department.
I have had the chance to discuss my project, mathematics, science, and life in general
with some very inspiring and kind people. I wish to thank the entire staff and various
generations of students of the Department for their openness and support. I particu-
lar, I wish to thank ANITA KILDEBÆK NIELSEN, LOUIS KLOSTERGAARD, TERESE M.
O. NIELSEN, and BJARNE AAGAARD for interesting discussions from which this dis-
sertation has benefitted, directly or indirectly. I am also indebted to THOMAS BRITZ
for comments and corrections on part II and to my mother, KIRSTEN STENTOFT, for
proof reading and help in translating quotations into English.
My thanks also go to SIGBJØRN GRINDHEIM at the manuscript collection of the
university library in Oslo for providing me with copies of ABEL’S manuscripts, and
to HANS ERIK JENSEN, Statsbiblioteket Aarhus University for tracing the Vienna re-
view of ABEL’S impossibility proof. 7 I also wish to thank KLAUS FROVIN JØRGENSEN
for kindly taking the time to provide me with a list of the ABEL-manuscripts held in
5 (Sørensen, 2002).
6 (Stubhaug, 1996), translated into English (Stubhaug, 2000).
7 Used in section 6.7.
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