| Citation | Distinguished for his contributions to algebraic topology. In 1959 he completed the classification of smooth manifolds into cobrdism classes. Since then he has solved other problems outside the theory of manifolds (including J.H.C. Whitehead's notable problem on finiteness); and he has also done much work in pure algebra, needed for topological applications; but the central theme of his work has been the topology of manifolds, on which he become a recognised authority. |