Linear differential equations and group theory from Riemann to Poincaré. (Q2468811)

The book under review is one of the great modern classics on the history of mathematics of the 19th century. Its focus is primarily on the subject of geometric function theory, which emerged in this period as a unified framework for three central topics: complex linear differential equations, group theory, and algebraic geometry. The first edition of this utmost profound historical study was published in 1986 (Zbl 0596.01018), and an expanded version of it was provided by the second edition issued in 2000 (Zbl 0949.01001). The current book is the faithful reprint of the second edition, wherefore it may suffice to refer to the above-mentioned reviews of the previous originals with regard to the precise contents. However, it should be emphasized once more that the author's utmost comprehensive and refined analysis of the classical theory of hypergeometric and modular equations, L. Fuchs's theory of linear differential equations, the group-theoretic and invariant-theoretic aspects of differential equations, the theory of elliptic functions and algebraic curves, the theory of automorphic functions, the relations to non-Euclidean geometry, and of many other allied topics is truly unparalleled in the relevant literature. No doubt, this fundamental historical treatise on the development of geometric function theory in the 19th century will remain a highly inspiring source book for many decades in the future, and that for generations of historians of modern mathematics, active researchers, teachers, students, and interested amateurs likewise.