Nixon Will Present Professor with Medal

Richard D. Brauer, Perkins Professor of Mathematies, has been awarded the National Medal of Science for his lifetime work in abstract algebra and number theory.

Brauer and eight other American Scientists were informed of the award last week. President Nixon made the announcement Wednesday.

Saying yesterday that he was "very pleased at being chosen," Brauer received the citation "for his work on the conjectures of Dickson, Cartan, Artin, and Masehke, his introduction of the Brauer group, and his development of the theory of modular representations."

The 69-year-old mathematician has done fundamental research on numerous aspects of abstract algebra, including group and number theory and theory of group representation and modular characters.

J. Robert Barlow, special assistant to the director of the Office of Science and Technology, said yesterday in Washington that the award is given "to men who have profoundly changed the field in which they work."

"The people who decide on the award look at the total contribution that a man has made to science," Barlow added. "We look at the award as an American national version of the Nobel Prize."

Barlow said that the recipients of the award were selected by the President after the President's Commission on the National Medal of Science makes a recommendation to the President "based on an individual's scientific excellence." He added that the commission is composed of scientists and others "who have excelled in all aspects of technology."

The award has been given annually since 1962 to groups of scientists varying in number from one to twelve. The award carries no prize aside from the modal and the citation.

Oscar Zariski, Robinson Professor of Mathematics, Emeritus, who was selected for the award in 1965, said yesterday that "Professor Brauer is a highly deserving man and I am very happy for him."

Brauer said that the date for President Nixon's presentation of the award has not yet been set.