Preface

Summary

Maurice Auslander passed away on November 18, 1994, in Trondheim, Norway at the age of sixty-eight. A memorial conference was held in his honor March 24–26, 1995 at Brandeis University. Over seventy people from all over the world attended the conference to show their respect for this remarkable mathematician and for his accomplishments. This feeling was shared by many others.

The variety of topics covered at the conference reflects the breadth of Maurice Auslander's contribution to mathematics, which includes commutative algebra and algebraic geometry, homological algebra and representation theory. He was one of the founding fathers of homological ring theory and representation theory of Artin algebras. Undoubtedly, the most characteristic feature of his mathematics was the profound use of homological and functorial techniques.

The Memorial Service was held on March 24. Appreciation of various sides of Maurice's personality could be felt throughout the morning of shared memories. From the kind man as seen by one little boy to the unapproachable man in the eyes of others, Maurice had left impressions in the lives of many. Initial fears by students later turned into lasting friendships. Those famous early morning phone calls, his sudden appearances at the offices of students and colleagues, long walks in many cities and countries, all became nostalgic memories. Yet his thoughtful comments and questions, and his many words of advice are still present among those who knew him.

Perhaps it can be said that Maurice's mathematics was a continuation of his personality. Both were characterized by integrity, intellectual honesty, and an everlasting persistence. Even the illness did not stop him.