Provides an overview of 10 individuals who contributed significantly to the development of mathematics. Each chapter contains relevant information on the person's research, accomplishments, ethical or professional obstacles, and lasting contributions and concludes with a chronology and a list of particular print and Internet references.

How nature counts: Leonardo of Pisa discovers fibonacci numbers -- Tools for pattern-finders: Karl Pearson and statistics -- Surmises and simulations: John von Neumann puts the computer in play -- A delicate equilibrium: John Nash and game theory -- Endless structure: Benoît Mandelbrot opens the fractal portal -- On butterfly wings: Edward Lorenz and chaos theory -- Games of emergence: John H. Conway, "Life," and other pastimes -- From cosmos to mind: Roger Penrose suggests hidden connections -- Artificial evolution: Christopher Langton creates virtual life -- A new kind of science? Stephen Wolfram and the universal automaton -- Chronology -- Glossary -- Further resources -- Index.