Peter Michael Rosenthal, born on June 1, 1941, and passing on May 25, 2024, was a distinguished Canadian-American professor of mathematics at the University of Toronto, as well as an adjunct law professor and practicing lawyer.
Raised in a Jewish family in Flushing, Queens, he struggled academically in high school but found his passion for mathematics during his time at Queens College, CUNY, leading to an accomplished academic career, including a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Michigan under Paul Halmos.
Rosenthal's work primarily focused on operator theory, making significant contributions to the invariant subspace problem and collaborating extensively with Heydar Radjavi. He published several influential books and mentored numerous students throughout his career.
Simultaneously, Rosenthal was a dedicated Marxist and political activist. His activism began early, influenced by his radical mother, and continued throughout his life. His involvement in protests led to legal entanglements, sparking his interest in law. He earned his LL.B. from the University of Toronto at age 49 and became a notable activist lawyer, representing clients in high-profile cases, including the Supreme Court case Figueroa v. Canada.
Rosenthal's legal career was marked by his commitment to social justice, providing free legal services for leftist causes and civil rights issues. He was recognized for his contributions with accolades like the Law Society Medal and was widely respected within the Toronto legal community. His legacy spans both mathematics and law, characterized by his intellectual contributions and unwavering commitment to activism.
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