(Marie Ennemond) Camille Jordan

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(Marie Ennemond) Camille Jordan

1838-1922

French mathematician who worked primarily in topology (the study of surfaces), introducing many important concepts in the field. Jordan taught at the École Polytechnique and the Collège de France, and his work inspired students Sophus Lie and Felix Klein in their future work as important mathematicians. Jordan was also interested in the theory of finite groups; some of his work in this area was motivated by his interest in crystal structures.