About KWG
1778 Establishment of the Mathematical Society
The KWG was founded in 1778 and is one of the oldest mathematical associations in the world. The first members were amateurs and practically oriented mathematicians: surveyors, teachers, accountants and instrument makers.
19th century "Professionalization of mathematics"
In the nineteenth century the emphasis within the Society shifted from recreational to creative mathematics. A new group of professional mathematicians joined and contacts were established with trade unions in neighbouring countries.
Late 19th century late 20th century Great Dutch mathematicians
On the border of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries Dutch mathematicians of world name were active within the KWG:
Styles1856-1894
Brouwer 1881-1966
Van der Corput1890 - 1975
Van der Waerden1903-1996
De Bruine 1918 - 2012
1954 International Congress of Mathematicians
The KWG organised the four-yearly International Congress of Mathematicians in Amsterdam. At the same time, the Stedelijk Museum dedicated an exhibition to M.C. Escher, which was the start of its world fame.
2003 Royal predicate
On 28 April 2003, the Society received the predicate "Royal" on the occasion of its 225th anniversary.
2008 European Congress of Mathematics
Under the auspices of the KWG, the four-yearly European Congress of Mathematics was organised in Amsterdam.
Present
After more than 237 years, the association is still very alive, as is the profession of mathematics itself. The KWG currently has about 1200 members.
Publications & Archive
More about the history of the KWG can be found in articles in the New Archive:
The Archive of Communication
Available as ZIP files or online archive for previous editions.
Active Honorary Members
List of honorary members of the Royal Mathematical Society with appointment date.
- 13-04-2007 J. van de Craats
- 13-04-2007 D. van Dalen
- 13-04-2007 F. Verhulst
- 05-04-2013 R. Tijdeman
- 22-03-2016 H.A. van der Vorst
- 23-04-2019 H. J. J. te Riele
- 11-04-2023 J.G. Blom
- 02-04-2024 T. Koetsier
Honorary members in memory
List in memory of deceased honorary members of the Royal Mathematical Society
- 30-04-1938 I. M. Vinogradov †
- 1952 P. Wijdenes †
- 28-09-1957 P. Erdös †
- 28-09-1957 K. Mahler †
- 28-09-1957 A. Tarski †
- 25-04-1964 M. Kac †
- 21-05-1966 P. Alexandrov †
- 21-05-1966 D. J. Struik †
- 1966 J.G. van der Corput †
- 1966 J.A. Schouten †
- 1966 W. van der Woude †
- 29-03-1978 O. Bottema †
- 29-03-1978 H. S. M. Coxeter †
- 29-03-1978 B. L. van der Waerden †
- 29-03-1978 J. H. Wansink †
- 10-04-1985 H. Freudenthal †
- 08-04-1988 A.C. Zaanen †
- 08-04-1988 N.G. de Bruijn †
- 17-04-1998 F. van der Blij †
- 17-04-1998 J. Korevaar †
- 17-04-1998 J.J. Seidel †
- 16-04-2004 P. C. Baayen †
- 16-04-2004 J. H. van Lint †
- 16-04-2004 J. A. F. de Rijk ("Bruno Ernst") †
- 22-03-2016 M. A. Kaashoek †