Editing Abraham Robinson (section)

==Work in model theory==
He became known for his approach of using the methods of [[mathematical logic]] to attack problems in [[mathematical analysis|analysis]] and [[abstract algebra]]. He "introduced many of the fundamental notions of [[model theory]]".<ref>Hodges, W: "A Shorter Model Theory", page 182. CUP, 1997</ref> Using these methods, he found a way of using [[formal logic]] to show that there are self-consistent nonstandard models of the [[real number system]] that include infinite and infinitesimal numbers. Others, such as [[Wilhelmus Luxemburg]], showed that the same results could be achieved using [[ultrafilter]]s, which made Robinson's work more accessible to mathematicians who lacked training in formal logic. Robinson's book ''Non-standard Analysis'' was published in 1966. Robinson was strongly interested in the history and philosophy of mathematics, and often remarked that he wanted to get inside the head of [[Gottfried Leibniz|Leibniz]], the first mathematician to attempt to articulate clearly the concept of [[infinitesimal|infinitesimal numbers]].

While at UCLA his colleagues remember him as working hard to accommodate [[Doctor of Philosophy|PhD]] students of all levels of ability by finding them projects of the appropriate difficulty. He was courted by [[Yale University|Yale]], and after some initial reluctance, he moved there in 1967. In the Spring of 1973 he was a member of the [[Institute for Advanced Study]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ias.edu/scholars/abraham-robinson|title=Abraham Robinson, Institute for Advanced Study|access-date=2017-11-25}}</ref> He died of [[pancreatic cancer]] in 1974.