The Institute was deeply saddened to learn of the passing away on Friday 11 January of Sir Michael Atiyah, founding Director of the Institute.
One of the greatest mathematicians of his generation, Sir Michael was awarded countless prizes and medals many of which we are proud to display in the Institute including, most notably, the Fields Medal which he was awarded in 1966.
INI Director David Abrahams, said: "Michael Atiyah was a brilliant scientist and remarkable personality. I always felt that his brain was permanently in top gear - and in his heyday no-one could keep up with him. Even in his later years he still managed to captivate audiences and woo the media. In my early years I was scared stiff of him. In recent years he lectured me on how to do things 'properly' at the Institute, and he continued to send me ideas on innovating and improving the place. He was a towering figure of British mathematics and physics whose personality and influence had a major effect on the whole world community. The Institute will always be in debt to him - and he was very proud of the place".
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