Marc wrote, to my guesses: << Seems plausible. But, to start with, what evidence is there this person truly existed? Say, for instance, on some Columbia or math genealogy site?

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This is true -- I didn't even find evidence he existed on the math genealogy site, which is pretty strong evidence he never got a Ph.D. Which is one characteristic of many nonexistent people, but I'm guessing that in those days good math depts. often hired non-Ph.D.s along with the Ph.D.s. Contacting Columbia might be the best way to be sure. --Dan Even though kleptomaniacs can't help themselves, they do.