It's difficult to understate Grothendieck's impact on modern mathematics. His work touches everything from stochastic PDE to number theory. In algebraic geometry, where he had the most impact, it is difficult to so much as think about the subject without using his ideas.
His personal story is also interesting and unique.
Pierre Cartier recently published an appreciation of his life and work -- Alexander Grothendieck: A Country Known Only By Name -- which is well worth the read even if you aren't a mathematician. http://inference-review.com/article/a-country-known-only-by-...
His personal story is also interesting and unique.
Pierre Cartier recently published an appreciation of his life and work -- Alexander Grothendieck: A Country Known Only By Name -- which is well worth the read even if you aren't a mathematician. http://inference-review.com/article/a-country-known-only-by-...