John Forbes Nash Jr. stands as a monumental figure in the 20th century, celebrated not only for his groundbreaking contributions to mathematics and game theory but also for his courageous battle with mental illness. His life, a tapestry of extraordinary intellectual achievements and personal struggles, left an indelible mark on Princeton University and the global academic community. Nash’s passing, alongside his wife Alicia, in a car accident on May 23, marked the end of an era for mathematics and a poignant loss for those who knew and admired him. He was 86 years old, and Alicia was 82.
For nearly seven decades, John Forbes Nash Jr.’s presence graced Princeton University. From his early days as an exceptionally gifted doctoral student to his later years as a respected senior research mathematician, Nash was an integral part of the institution’s intellectual landscape. Despite facing significant challenges posed by schizophrenia, which initially curtailed his promising academic trajectory, Nash eventually emerged as an elder statesman of mathematics. The last two decades of his life witnessed a resurgence of recognition for his profound contributions, accolades that many believed were long overdue. His position as a senior research mathematician at Princeton, held since 1995, underscored his enduring connection to the university and his ongoing dedication to mathematical inquiry.
While a private individual, John Forbes Nash Jr. paradoxically held a prominent public profile, an unusual position for a mathematician. This public recognition was largely fueled by the acclaimed 2001 film “A Beautiful Mind.” The movie, starring Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly as John and Alicia Nash, brought Nash’s compelling life story to a global audience. The film poignantly depicted his seminal work in game theory, the very subject of his groundbreaking 1950 Princeton doctoral thesis. This work ultimately earned him the prestigious Nobel Prize in Economics in 1994, solidifying his place in both mathematical and economic history.
However, at his core, John Forbes Nash Jr. remained a dedicated mathematician. His distinctive ability to approach long-standing problems with fresh perspectives led to some of his most impactful and influential work, as noted by colleagues and friends. This innate mathematical ingenuity was a defining characteristic of his illustrious career.
The tragic accident occurred as the Nashes were returning from Oslo, Norway. There, John Forbes Nash Jr. had just received the 2015 Abel Prize from the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, a pinnacle achievement in mathematics. This esteemed award recognized his foundational work in partial differential equations, mathematical tools crucial for describing fundamental laws across scientific disciplines. For mathematicians worldwide, the Abel Prize served as a resounding and long-awaited affirmation of John Forbes Nash Jr.’s monumental contributions to the field.
The timing of the Abel Prize, awarded to John Forbes Nash Jr. mere days before his untimely death, underscored the cyclical nature of his life – a blend of remarkable achievements and stark tragedies. Sergiu Klainerman, Princeton’s Eugene Higgins Professor of Mathematics, a close associate of both John and Alicia Nash, reflected on this duality. “It was a tragic end to a very tragic life. Tragic, but at the same time a meaningful life,” Klainerman stated, highlighting the complex narrative of Nash’s existence. Klainerman’s own work in partial differential equation analysis provided him with a deep appreciation for Nash’s mathematical genius.
John Forbes Nash Jr. and Alicia Nash in their later years
“We all miss him,” Klainerman continued, emphasizing the personal loss felt within the department. “It was not just the legend behind him. He was a very, very nice person to have around. He was very kind, very thoughtful, very considerate and humble. All that contributed to his legacy in the department. The fact that he was always present in the department, I think that by itself was very moving. It’s an example that stimulated people, especially students. He was an inspiring figure to have around, just being there and showing his dedication to mathematics.” Klainerman’s words painted a picture of Nash beyond his intellectual prowess, revealing his gentle and inspiring character.
Princeton President Christopher L. Eisgruber conveyed the university community’s profound sorrow. “Princeton University is stunned and saddened by news of the untimely passing of John Nash and his wife and great champion, Alicia,” Eisgruber announced on Sunday, acknowledging the deep impact of their loss.
“Both of them were very special members of the Princeton University community,” Eisgruber elaborated. “John’s remarkable achievements inspired generations of mathematicians, economists and scientists who were influenced by his brilliant, groundbreaking work in game theory, and the story of his life with Alicia moved millions of readers and moviegoers who marveled at their courage in the face of daunting challenges.” Eisgruber’s statement underscored Nash’s broad influence, extending beyond academia to touch popular culture through his life story.
David Gabai, the Hughes-Rogers Professor of Mathematics and department chair, emphasized Nash’s inspirational presence within the department. Despite not formally teaching or mentoring students, John Forbes Nash Jr.’s consistent presence over decades, coupled with the dramatic narrative of his triumphs and tribulations, earned him immense respect and admiration.
“John Nash, with his long history of achievements and his incredible battle with mental health problems, was hugely inspirational,” Gabai affirmed. “It’s a huge loss not to have him around anymore.” Gabai highlighted the dual aspects of Nash’s life – his mathematical brilliance and his mental health journey – as sources of inspiration.
Gabai further noted the Nashes’ active participation in department life. They regularly attended events, from casual receptions to formal dinners, and showed genuine support for undergraduate education. Gabai, who was with the couple in Norway for the Abel Prize ceremony, poignantly described their passing as the department losing two cherished family members.
The “Phantom of Fine Hall” and Enduring Inspiration
Even during the 1970s, a period when John Forbes Nash Jr.’s schizophrenia was still a significant challenge, and he was an enigmatic figure known as the “Phantom of Fine Hall,” his reputation for original and courageous thinking served as motivation for aspiring mathematicians. Gabai, a Princeton graduate student during that era, recalled this unique period. Nash’s unconventional approach to mathematics, even in times of personal struggle, contributed to the department’s culture of embracing intellectual risk and exploration.
“In those days, he was very present, but rarely said anything and just wandered benignly through Fine Hall. Nevertheless, we all knew that the mathematics he did was really spectacular,” Gabai recounted. “It went beyond proving great results. He had a profound originality as if he somehow had insights into developing problems that no one had even thought about.” Gabai emphasized the depth and originality of Nash’s mathematical intuition.
“I think he prided himself that he had his way of thinking about things,” Gabai continued, highlighting Nash’s independent and unique approach to problem-solving. “He was such an extraordinary exemplar of the things that this department strives for. Beyond great originality, he demonstrated tremendous tenacity, courage and fearlessness.” These qualities, Gabai suggested, were central to Nash’s legacy and what the department aimed to cultivate in its students and faculty.
Renewed Activity and Confidence After the Nobel Prize
The Nobel Prize marked a turning point in John Forbes Nash Jr.’s life. Following this prestigious recognition, he entered a period of renewed energy and self-assurance. This resurgence coincided with improved management of his mental health, allowing him to reinvest his creativity into mathematical pursuits. Sergiu Klainerman, who joined Princeton faculty in 1987, observed this transformation firsthand. Klainerman’s doctoral thesis itself had utilized a groundbreaking method introduced by Nash in connection to the Nash embedding theorems, which the Norwegian Academy lauded as “among the most original results in geometric analysis of the twentieth century.”
John Forbes Nash Jr. receiving the Abel Prize in Oslo
“When he got the Nobel Prize, there was this incredible transformation,” Klainerman recalled. “Prior to that we didn’t realize he was becoming normal again. It was a very slow process. But after the prize he was like a different person. He was much more confident in himself.” The Nobel Prize seemed to act as a catalyst for Nash’s personal and professional rejuvenation.
In their frequent conversations during his later years, Nash shared his unique perspectives on a wide array of topics, ranging from advanced mathematics to contemporary events, according to Klainerman. “Even though his mind wasn’t functioning as it did in his youth, you could tell that he had an interesting point of view on everything. He was always looking for a different angle than everybody else. He always had something interesting to say.” Nash’s intellectual curiosity and distinctive thinking remained sharp even in his later years.
Michail Rassias, a visiting postdoctoral research associate in mathematics at Princeton who collaborated with John Forbes Nash Jr. on the book “Open Problems in Mathematics,” also attested to Nash’s enduring intellectual vitality. They had recently completed the preface for their book just before Nash’s trip to Oslo. They agreed on a quote from Albert Einstein that resonated deeply with Nash: “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.” Nash, despite playfully pointing out Einstein’s physics background, embraced the sentiment of continuous inquiry.
“Even at 86, his mind was still open,” Rassias affirmed. “He still wanted to have new ideas. Of course, he couldn’t work like when he was 20, but he still had this spark, the soul of a young mathematician. The fact that he moved slowly and talked with a quiet voice had nothing to do with the enthusiasm with which he did mathematics. It was very inspirational.” Rassias emphasized Nash’s unwavering enthusiasm for mathematics, regardless of age or physical limitations.
Rassias, sixty years younger than Nash, began working with him after a chance encounter in the Fine Hall commons room in September. “I could tell there was mathematical chemistry between us and that led to this intense collaboration. He was very simple, very open to discussing ideas with new people if you said something that attracted his interest,” Rassias explained. “Nash gave this impression that he was distant, but when you actually had the opportunity to talk to him he was not like that. He tended to walk alone, but if you got the courage to talk to him it would be very natural for him to talk to you.” Rassias dispelled the perception of Nash as unapproachable, highlighting his openness to intellectual exchange.
Rassias expressed profound inspiration from Nash’s dedication to mentoring a younger mathematician. This experience deeply influenced Rassias’s own career aspirations. “Remembering what John Nash did for me, I will definitely try to give all my heart and soul to younger people in all steps of their careers,” Rassias pledged. “I also will try to keep my mind and enthusiasm for math alive to the end. That is something I will try to achieve like him.” Nash’s mentorship left a lasting impact on Rassias, shaping his future approach to academic collaboration and mentorship.
Early Life, Education, and Honors
Born in Bluefield, West Virginia, in 1928, John Forbes Nash Jr.’s academic journey culminated in a doctorate in mathematics from Princeton in 1950. He earned his graduate and bachelor’s degrees from Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University) in 1948, laying the foundation for his extraordinary career.
Beyond the Nobel and Abel Prizes, John Forbes Nash Jr.’s honors included the American Mathematical Society’s 1999 Leroy P. Steele Prize for Seminal Contribution to Research and the 1978 John von Neumann Theory Prize. He was a distinguished member of the National Academy of Sciences and a 2012 inaugural fellow of the American Mathematical Society, recognizing his sustained and profound impact on mathematics.
John Forbes Nash Jr. is survived by his sister, Martha Nash Legg, and sons John David Stier and John Charles Martin Nash. His younger son, John Nash, was born to Alicia shortly after their marriage in 1957. Although their marriage ended in divorce in 1963, they remarried in 2001, demonstrating the enduring bond between them.
A Lasting Partnership and Poignant Farewell
Despite their divorce, Alicia, born in El Salvador in 1933, remained a constant presence throughout the peaks and valleys of John Forbes Nash Jr.’s life. Sergiu Klainerman emphasized the depth of their partnership. Their simultaneous passing after a long life together, marked by both triumphs and tribulations, possessed a literary quality of tragedy and romance, Klainerman observed.
“They were a wonderful couple,” Klainerman reflected. “You could see that she cared very much about him, and she was protective of him. You could see that she cared a lot about his image and the way he felt. I felt it was very moving.” Alicia’s unwavering support and care for John Forbes Nash Jr. were evident to those around them.
“Coming home from Oslo, he must have been extremely happy, and she must have been extremely happy for him,” Klainerman concluded. “They went for the apotheosis of his career, and died in this terrible way on the way back. But they were together.” Their deaths, while tragic, occurred after a moment of profound professional triumph, and in their shared journey, underscoring the intertwined nature of their lives and legacies.
By Morgan Kelley, Princeton University Office of Communications.
