John von Neumann 1903-1957

In John von Neumann's death on February 8, 1957, the world of mathematics lost a most original, penetrating, and versatile mind.Science suffered the loss of a universal intellect and a unique interpreter of mathematics, who could bring the latest (and develop latent) applications of its methods to bear on problems of physics, astronomy, biology, and the new technology.Many eminent voices have already described and praised his contributions.It is my aim to add here a brief account of his life and of his work from a background of personal acquaintance and friendship extending over a period of 25 years.