Defining a mathematical research school: the case of algebra at the University of Chicago, 1892--1945 (Q1888441)

The author discusses the notion of a mathematical research school. She starts by discussing the algebra school at the University of Chicago during the first half of the 20th century. When the University of Chicago was founded in 1892, the faculty of mathematics consisted of E. H.~Moore, O. Bolza and H. Maschke. Moore became known for his work on simple groups and for his classification of finite fields. The second generation of algebraists at Chicago consisted of Moore's student Dickson and a visitor from Scotland, Wedderburn. Their work on algebras was later absorbed and developed by the German school around Noether and Hasse, partially in parallel to the work of a member of the third generation: Dickson's student Albert. Finally, the author proposes the following definition of a mathematical research school: it should have a leader who a) actively pursues research in some area of mathematics, b) advocates a certain approach to the problems that are studied, and c) trains students; there should also exist external validation through publication.