John Conway (1937-2020)

John Horton Conway - one of the great mathematical minds of his generation - died on Saturday (11 April).

Not just a shining star of mathematics, he was also one of the field’s great personalities.

I met Conway in 2014 and we filmed a collection of Numberphile videos.

I recommend the whole playlist - but perhaps this one reflecting on life and death is the most poignant.

Of course, I also asked Conway about his famous Game of Life - a topic he was tired of - but he graciously answered my questions!

The interviews were filmed in the kitchen of Conway’s Princeton apartments - it was the tidiest room in the house.

Since he died, we’ve also put together this episode of the Numberphile podcast.

It includes clips from the man himself, plus reflections from others, including his biographer Siobhan Roberts.

I read that Conway was proud to have signed the Royal Society Charter book when he became a fellow (an FRS). Here’s his page, and a close-up of his signature courtesy of the society.

Perhaps the last word - or image - should go to xkcd, who captured the moment better than any podcast or video.

GIF Source: https://xkcd.com/2293/