Pierre Humbert (mathematician)

Pierre Humbert (June 26, 1891 – May 7, 1953) was a French mathematician known for his work in special functions, number theory, and mathematical physics. He made significant contributions to the study of Appell polynomials and Humbert polynomials, which bear his name.

Humbert was born in Paris and received his doctorate from the Sorbonne in 1918. He subsequently held positions at the University of Montpellier and the University of Algiers before returning to the University of Paris (Sorbonne).

His research encompassed a wide range of topics, including the development and application of hypergeometric functions, orthogonal polynomials, and integral transforms. He is particularly remembered for his work on generalizations of classical polynomials, leading to the formulation of the Humbert polynomials. These polynomials arise in various contexts in applied mathematics and theoretical physics.

Beyond his specific contributions, Humbert was also a respected textbook author, contributing to the dissemination of mathematical knowledge. He wrote extensively on topics such as calculus, analysis, and probability. His work helped to train generations of mathematicians and engineers.