Willem Klein Dutch mathematician Date of Birth: 04.12.1912 Country: Netherlands

Biography of Willem Klein

Willem Klein was born on December 4, 1912, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. From an early age, he developed a fascination for mathematics and computations, effortlessly multiplying double-digit numbers in his head during his elementary school years. After completing his schooling in 1932, Willem initially aspired to become a performer to showcase his exceptional abilities. However, his father opposed this idea, desiring him to pursue a "real" profession. As a result, Willem enrolled at the University of Amsterdam to study medicine.

During World War II, Willem had to go into hiding underground, while his twin brother Leo Klein was arrested and tragically lost his life. Once the war ended, Willem resumed his studies but eventually left university to pursue his true passion – performing in circuses and on stage. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, he worked in various circuses in France and the Netherlands under the stage names Pascal and Willy Wortel (Dutch for "Willie Carrot"). Simultaneously, he also worked at the Mathematical Center Amsterdam, until he was invited to join CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, in 1958.

In 1954, Willem showcased his talents at the International Congress of Mathematicians held in Amsterdam. He retired in 1976 and spent the next decade living a vibrant life in his hometown of Amsterdam, continuing to perform and demonstrate his mathematical artistry. However, on August 1, 1986, Willem Klein was brutally murdered in his own home in Amsterdam. Sadly, the murder of this mathematician remains unsolved.