M. L. Urquhart

Extract

To assess the mathematical work of the late M. L. Urquhart is, paradoxically, both easy and extremely difficult. It is easy, in that he never published a mathematical paper in any of the journals. Thus one does not have to read a large volume of published work. On the other hand, Urquhart was far from being mathematically inactive, but he communicated his ideas verbally to his associates. At this point of time it is well nigh impossible to recall all the ideas that he discussed so freely during his lifetime. Conversations have long since been forgotten and ideas are now only vaguely remembered. Consequently any objective assessment of Urquhart's mathematical work is very difficult.