Israel Moiseevich Gelfand is one of the greatest mathematicians of the 20th century. His insights and ideas have helped to develop new areas in mathematics and to reshape many classical ones. The influence of Gelfand can be found everywhere in mathematics and mathematical physics from functional analysis to geometry, algebra, and number theory. His seminar (one of the most influential in the history of mathematics) helped to create a very diverse and productive Gelfand school; indeed, many outstanding mathematicians proudly call themselves Gelfand disciples
