The autographs, letters, drawings and manuscripts of Alexandre Grothendieck are testament to the brilliant and complex mind of one of the greatest mathematicians of the 20th century. In addition to his revolutionary contributions to algebraic geometry, his writings reveal an intense personality , marked by philosophical reflections, criticism of society and a profound detachment from academic recognition.

Alexandre Grothendieck's autographs and dedications

His signature , usually written in firm strokes, reflects his meticulous personality and analytical mind. In some documents, his handwriting is precise, while in others, especially in later manuscripts, his writing may appear more hurried and spontaneous. Due to his decision to live in seclusion and his withdrawal from academia, there are no records of his autographs or dedications.

An example of Alexandre Grothendieck's signature

Alexandre Grothendieck's letters

There are letters by Alexandre Grothendieck, and they are very interesting, both from a mathematical and historical point of view. Grothendieck exchanged correspondence with several important mathematicians, such as Jean-Pierre Serre, Pierre Deligne and Luc Illusie, discussing revolutionary concepts in algebraic geometry. Some of these letters have been preserved and published in scholarly works.

After his retirement from academic life in the 1970s, Grothendieck wrote long and philosophical letters, such as the famous “Letter to Mathematicians” (Lettre aux Mathematiciens, 1988), in which he explained his decision to withdraw from institutional mathematics. The last letters of his life show his growing disillusionment with institutionalized science, technology and the modern world in general, sometimes with great aggression.

Alexandre Grothendieck's manuscripts

Among his best-known manuscripts are “Récoltes et Semailles” , where he criticizes the mathematical community and reflects on his own trajectory, and “ Esquire d'un Programme” , where he proposes new directions for algebraic geometry. In addition, he left thousands of manuscript pages , including mathematical and spiritual notes, many of which are still preserved at the University of Montpellier and the National Library of France in Paris.

An example of a manuscript by Alexandre Grothendieck

The drawings of Alexandre Grothendieck

In some of his manuscripts, especially in the mathematical and philosophical notebooks , Grothendieck made diagrams, charts, and geometric illustrations to represent his abstract ideas. He enjoyed representing mathematical concepts through drawings . However, unlike mathematicians such as Lewis Carroll or Maurits Escher, Grothendieck was not known for artistic drawings, but rather for visual representations related to his mathematical research.

An example of a drawing by Alexandre Grothendieck

FAQ

1. Why are Grothendieck's writings considered difficult to decipher?

Although he organizes it meticulously, numbering the pages and recording dates and times, the content mixes pure mathematics, philosophical reflections and digressions, making interpretation very complex.

2. Where are Grothendieck's manuscripts stored?

His writings are divided into two large collections: 70,000 pages are stored in a basement in Paris, while 28,000 pages are at the University of Montpellier, where he worked for a time. These documents have not yet been fully analyzed or published and remain inaccessible to many scholars.

3. What can we learn from Grothendieck's unpublished manuscripts?

The manuscripts may contain revolutionary new mathematical approaches, as he often developed concepts far ahead of his time. They also reveal his reflections on science, spirituality and society, allowing us to understand not only his mathematical contributions, but also his worldview and his decision to live as a hermit.

Conclusion on the autograph documents of Alexandre Grothendieck

Alexandre Grothendieck was in Brazil and interacted with Brazilian mathematicians. In 1953 and 1955, he worked at the University of São Paulo, where he taught and continued his research in functional analysis. However, according to several reports, he did not feel comfortable in Brazil and made no effort to integrate, thinking mainly of his return to France. 

As for correspondence, there is no documented evidence of specific correspondence with Brazilian mathematicians. However, considering his stay in Brazil and his academic interactions, it is likely that he had exchanges with Brazilian colleagues during this period.

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