From www.ams.org:
Serge Lang, 1927-2005
“Serge Lang passed away on September 12 at the age of 78. Lang was a professor at Yale University from 1972 to 2005. He received his Ph.D. from Princeton University in 1951 under the direction of Emil Artin. Lang was awarded the Frank Nelson Cole Prize in Algebra in 1960 and the Leroy P. Steele Prize for Mathematical Exposition in 1999. He was well known for his mathematics texts and was a member of the National Academy of Sciences. [Item posted 9/15/05]”
From a review of one of Lang’s books, Challenges:
“Again and again, Lang has caught powerful academics and journalists at evasions, stonewalling, and intimidation. It’s cost him considerable time, effort, and money; it’s also made him a lot of enemies. It should be mentioned here that Professor Lang is also a productive researcher in mathematics and a prolific author of books of mathematics. I literally don’t know how he does it. He must have absolutely no life outside his office.
OK, sure, Lang is a crank. He’s also a national treasure. His commitment to the ethic of honesty and plain speaking should be an example to us all.”
Serge Lang,
May 19, 1927 –
September 12, 2005