On Kolchin's theorem (Q579381)

A well-known theorem due to Kolchin states that a semigroup of unipotent matrices over a field can be brought to triangular form over the field. Here it is proved that Kolchin's result follows from a theorem of Wedderburn. The result of Wedderburn asserts that a finite dimensional algebra over a field having a basis of nilpotent elements is nilpotent. It is also proved that if R is a finitely generated P.I. ring and S is a nil subring of R, then S is nilpotent. The proof uses a theorem of A. Braun saying that Jac(R) is nilpotent.