# René Thom

> French mathematician (1923–2002)

**Wikidata**: [Q164428](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q164428)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/René_Thom)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rene-thom

## Summary
René Thom was a French mathematician and university teacher, active from 1923 to 2002, who is renowned for his contributions to the field of topology. He is best known for developing catastrophe theory and for his work on the mathematical concept of cobordism. A distinguished academic, Thom was affiliated with several prestigious institutions and received the Fields Medal for his achievements.

## Biography
- **Born:** 1923
- **Nationality:** French
- **Education:** École Normale Supérieure, Lycée Saint-Louis, University of Paris
- **Known for:** Topology, catastrophe theory, cobordism
- **Employer(s):** Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques, National Center for Scientific Research, University of Strasbourg, Grenoble Alpes University
- **Field(s):** Mathematics, Topology

## Contributions
René Thom's primary contributions lie in the advancement of topology and mathematical modeling. He developed catastrophe theory, a significant area of mathematics that studies how small changes in circumstances can lead to sudden shifts in behavior. Additionally, he defined and explored the concept of cobordism, which describes an (n+1)-manifold W that links two n-manifolds M and N, where the boundary of W consists of M and N. His work provided foundational frameworks for understanding geometric structures and discontinuous processes.

## FAQs
**What specific areas of mathematics did René Thom contribute to?**
René Thom contributed to topology, specifically through the development of catastrophe theory and the study of cobordism.

**Which academic institutions was René Thom affiliated with?**
He was affiliated with the École Normale Supérieure, Lycée Saint-Louis, University of Paris, Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques, Grenoble Alpes University, National Center for Scientific Research, and the University of Strasbourg.

**What major awards did René Thom receive?**
He received the Fields Medal, the Brouwer Medal, the National Order of Scientific Merit, and the Prix de l'Etat.

**Was René Thom a member of any scientific academies?**
Yes, he was associated with the French Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, and the Polish Academy of Sciences.

## Why They Matter
René Thom's work fundamentally influenced the study of topology and dynamic systems. His introduction of catastrophe theory provided mathematicians and scientists with tools to analyze and model discontinuous changes in various systems. The concept of cobordism became a crucial element in differential topology, aiding in the classification of manifolds. His recognition by multiple national academies and the receipt of the Fields Medal underscore the lasting importance of his theoretical contributions to the global scientific community.

## Notable For
- **Fields Medal:** Recipient of this prestigious prize awarded to mathematicians under 40.
- **Catastrophe Theory:** Pioneered this area of mathematics used to study sudden shifts in behavior.
- **Cobordism:** Defined the concept of an (n+1)-manifold linking two n-manifolds.
- **Academic Affiliations:** Connected to major French and international research institutions like the Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques and the National Center for Scientific Research.
- **International Recognition:** Member of the French Academy of Sciences, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, and Polish Academy of Sciences.
- **Other Awards:** Received the Brouwer Medal, National Order of Scientific Merit, and Prix de l'Etat.

## Body

### Identity and Background
René Thom, also referred to by aliases such as Rene Thom and Réné Thom, was a human and a French mathematician born in 1923. He passed away in 2002. His primary occupation was that of a mathematician, characterized by extensive knowledge of the field, and he also served as a university teacher, educating students at the tertiary level. His nationality was French, and he is recognized as a unique member of the species Homo sapiens.

### Education and Academic Affiliations
Thom's educational background includes affiliations with several prominent French institutions. He attended Lycée Saint-Louis, a post-secondary school located in Paris. He was also associated with the École Normale Supérieure (ENS Paris), a French "grande école" established in 1794. Furthermore, he held a connection to the University of Paris, a historic French university with inception dates tracing back to 1150 and 1896.

### Professional Career and Research
Throughout his career, René Thom was affiliated with numerous research organizations and universities. He worked with the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), a French research organization founded in 1939 and headquartered in Paris. He was also associated with the Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques (IHES), a French research institute established in 1958 and headquartered in Bures-sur-Yvette. His academic career included positions at the University of Strasbourg, a university with a history dating back to 1538, and Grenoble Alpes University, a public university established in 2019/2020.

Thom's field of work was primarily topology, a branch of mathematics. Within this field, he is known for defining cobordism, a concept involving an (n+1)-manifold W that links two n-manifolds M and N, where the boundary of W consists of M and N. He also developed catastrophe theory, an area of mathematics focused on discontinuous shifts.

### Awards and Honors
René Thom received significant recognition for his contributions to mathematics. He was awarded the Fields Medal, a prize instituted in 1936 that is awarded every four years to mathematicians under the age of 40. He also received the Brouwer Medal, an award with an inception date of 1970. Additionally, he was honored with the National Order of Scientific Merit, an order of Brazil instituted in 2002, and the Prix de l'Etat, a French science award instituted in 1795.

### Memberships in Learned Societies
Thom was a member of several prestigious learned societies across Europe and the Americas. These included the French Academy of Sciences, a society founded in 1666 by Louis XIV at the suggestion of Jean-Baptiste Colbert. He was also affiliated with the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, an honorary society in the United States founded in 1780. His memberships extended to the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, the national academy of Germany founded in 1652, and the Polish Academy of Sciences, the national academy for Poland founded in 1951.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. MacTutor History of Mathematics archive
3. Mathematics Genealogy Project
4. [Source](https://documat.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=1160845)
5. Find a Grave
6. International Standard Name Identifier
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. CiNii Research
9. SNAC
10. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
11. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
12. Roglo
13. Croatian Encyclopedia
14. La France savante
15. Who's Who in France
16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
17. CONOR.SI
18. [Encyclopædia Britannica Online](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Rene-Frederic-Thom)
19. Catalogo of the National Library of India