AMS Presidents: A Timeline

The American Mathematical Society was founded in 1888 after Thomas Fiske returned from Cambridge, England, inspired by its collegial and vibrant mathematical community. Ever since, AMS presidents have played a key role in leading the Society in its publications, meetings, professional visibility, and support for research. Presidents of the Society were elected annually until December 1900, when biennial terms began. The office has always been a working one, but over time the role has grown, with each president serving for some time on the Executive Committee of the AMS Council and Board of Trustees; overseeing the Executive Director; and representing the Society to the outside world.

Several of the Society's presidents were born or trained outside the U.S. The early presidents had been awarded honorary Ph.D.s. Some presidents came from humble backgrounds, others from families of privilege. Some stayed at the same institution for decades, others travelled the world to do research, give talks and represent the AMS. Most worked in academia, and a few worked in applied mathematics; some trained in the well-known mathematics departments, others at small colleges. Some were quiet leaders, others outgoing and highly visible. All have in common an international recognition well beyond the mathematics community for their mathematical achievements and effective leadership.

Each AMS president's page includes the institution and date of doctoral degree, a brief note about his/her academic career and honors, and links to more extensive biographical information and descriptions of mathematical work, academic training and positions, memberships, publications, awards and honors.

The AMS book series A Century of Mathematics in America , Part I, Part II and Part III, edited by Peter Duren, puts the AMS presidents in historical context. The volumes contain chapters--several written by AMS presidents --about mathematics, mathematicians, university mathematics departments, and events during the period.