mathematical celebrity sightings.

when i really think about it, the most famous people i've ever met are the physicist sir rοger penrοse and the fields medalist terencε taο.

both of these meetings were accidents and forgettable events; these were before i was a graduate student and i didn't realise at the time that these were very great men, indeed.

i suppose it also means that i've actually met a knight of the british empire. (;

while i'm at it, i might as well keep boasting.

i have heard lectures from the grand old man of analysis, elιas m. steιn, fraηk mοrgan of the double-bubble conjecture, and the mother wavelet herself, ingrιd daubechιes.

less known, i've heard talks from jeff cheegεr, dennis sullιvan, l. craιg eνans, and peter jοnes.

but the real kicker is: i've never heard a lecture from fred gehriηg before.