Born in Figueres with almost total physical disability, Ferran Sunyer i Balaguer was confined for life in a wheelchair who could not move himself, then being constantly dependent on the care of others . His father died when Fernando was only two years, leaving his mother, Mrs. Angela Balaguer alone in the care and attention of his son, so they moved to the maternal grandmother's house where he lived with his cousins \u200b\u200bMary, Angels and Ferdinand. Subsequently, all moved to Barcelona, \u200b\u200bconstituting a family unit, full of virtues, which grew and matured our famous mathematician.
As the doctor felt that it was more prudent to depart from the sick fatigue as a possible education and teachers, Ferdinand has no other choice but to learn by himself or through his lessons mother, who by his loving and gracious spirit could not endanger their health. This instruction and education are directly influenced, no doubt, coexistence with cousins \u200b\u200bwho were more than brothers to him throughout life. After a period of avid reading, in which he awoke the interest in astronomy and physics, mathematics sparked his vocation, which occupies the rest of his life.
In 1938 Ferran Sunyer announced its first results on teacher Jacques Hadamard Academy of Sciences in Paris, which published one of his works to the "Comptes Rendus" of the Academy and encouraged him to pursue the paths of research. At this time, Sunyer keep Ferdinand a constant exchange with the French school of analysts, particularly Szolem Mandelbrojt and his disciples, and began to publish regularly. His physical condition is not so limited himself allowed him to write his articles. The first dictated to his mother until his death in 1955 and, after a period of sadness and despair, the search resumed with vigor and were his cousins \u200b\u200bwho wrote research papers.
continuity in the work, together with some admirable intellectual skills, resulted in a limited and valuable production recognized for its high scientific value, which was awarded several prizes: Prize Agell, Academy of Sciences of Barcelon (1948); Prize Prat de la Riba, the Institute of Catalan Studies (1949), Premio de la Academia de Ciencias de Zaragoza (1950), two awards " Torres Quevedo "and" Franco "(1956) National Research Council, Award of the Academy of Sciences of Madrid, and winner of Ardenya Martin, of the Institute of Catalan Studies (1966).
Despite the recognition of his merits, he was much more difficult to achieve social and professional position that corresponient for their work and their economic position, in some periods, to have been exempt difficulties. It was not until 9 December 1967, 18 days before his death, which confirmed his appointment as research scientist in the Division of Mathematical Sciences, Medical and Nature of the CSIC.
to their physical conditions, qualifications for studies officers arrived very late. When he graduated from high school, had been awarded by various academies. Licensed in 1960, he obtained a doctorate after the legal requirement of two years as a student. Although from 1948 was on the payroll of the Mathematical Seminar as a "potential partner", but it became a full member until 1962, though for years his work was not to collaborate, but to lead.
His articles appear regularly in the journal Mathematical Seminar Barcelona Collectanea Mathematica, which was in referee and adviser. On several occasions he was consulted as an advisor for the edtiros Proceedings of the American Mathematical Society. Actively participate in courses and lectures given by guest lecturers in Barcelona, \u200b\u200bmany suggested by himself. On the occasion of a conference in 1966, H. Mascart University of Toulouse, said he felt honored by the presence of Sunyer i Balaguer, "le Premier of loin, Espagnols Among the mathematicians. "
At all times, felt linked to the scientific movement of his country with humility and accept the limitations resulting from this attitude, resisting several offers from abroad, particularly France and some U.S. institutions. In 1963 he was hired by the U.S. Navy and in the years following his research results were more respected. "His value to the prestige of the English Scientific community was outstanding and his work in mathematics was of a steady excellence that make historical loss difficult to accept" (letter of condolence TB Owen, Rear Admiral of the Navy).
The circumstances under which Sunyer got his achievements testify to his remarkable human qualities. His treatment was a great kindness and their conversation reflected joy, a joy to live, work and to cultivate friendship, which was much more accepting of the difficulties of life in store for him. His views were so strong and wise, and while it had a delicate respect for the opinions and the works of others. With genuine humility ensure that their work be recognized, but their requests were always exempt from any requirement or overvaluation. But the most striking qualities was his total lack of concern or complex for their physical conditions, which surely was due largely to the wise education received from his mother, a model of adaptation of a disability in our society.
On 27 September 1967, although fully active, died Ferran Sunyer i Balaguer. The memory of this outstanding personality is a constant source of encouragement for our own work. Taken and translated from "Fernando Sunyer Balaguer (1912-1967), Juan Augé. Mathematical Gazette, 1st series, Volume XX, numbers 3 and 4, PAGES 3-7.
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