born April 1, 1947, Darguignan, France
Contributed to the theory of operator algebras, particularly the general
classification and structure theorem of factors of type III, classification
of automorphisms of the hyperfinite factor, classification of injective
factors, and applications of the theory of C*-algebras to foliations
and differential geometry in general.
born October 30, 1946, Washington, D.C.
Revolutionized study of topology in 2 and 3 dimensions, showing interplay
between analysis, topology, and geometry. Contributed idea that a very
large class of closed 3-manifolds carry a hyperbolic structure.
Alain CONNES
Institut des Hautes Études Scientifiques
William P. THURSTON
Princeton University