The memoirs and legacy of Évariste Galois

Évariste Galois was born 200 years ago and died aged 20, shot in a mysterious early-morning duel in 1832. He left contributions to the theory of equations that changed the direction of mathematics and led directly to what is now broadly described as 'modern' or 'abstract' algebra. In this lecture, designed for a general audience, Dr Peter Neumann will explain Galois' discoveries and place them in their historical context. Little knowledge of mathematics is assumed - the only prerequisite is sympathy for mathematics and its history.  

This lecture was jointly held with the British Society for the History of Mathematics.
For the other BHSM lectures, follows these links:      
      Triangular Relationships, by Dr Patricia Fara
      Mathematics, Motion and Truth, by Professor Jeremy Gray
      Mathematics and the Medici, by Jim Bennett
      Planes and Pacifism, by Dr June Barrow-Green
      From World Brain to the World Wide Web, by Professor Martin Campbell-Kelly
      History from Below, by Dr Stephen Johnston
      The Celestial Geometry of John Flamsteed, by Dr Allan Chapman
      Mathematics in the Metropolis, by Adrian Rice