| Citation | Baxter has succeeded in giving exact solutions to a variety of problems in statistical mechanics. Although these solutions have been described as most remarkable 'tours de force' of classical analysis, their significance lies in the test they offer of any general framework solutions to statistical thermodynamics. In this respect they have played a role similar to that of Onsager's solution of the two dimensional Ising model 40 years ago. The solution of such classical problems as the eight vertex model and the Potts model, and the discovery of models whose critical indices vary with interaction parameters are major contributions to the mathematical framework of physics and chemistry. This work has gained Baxter the Boltzmann prize of IUPAP for 1980. |