Jim Simons, Businessman and Mathematician

In 2012, French filmmaker Olivier Peyon traveled to the United States to film scenes for his documentary “Comment j’ai détesté les maths”, which explores mathematics and its cultural impact on society.

During his visit to New York, he conducted extensive interviews with Jim Simons, who also appears in the film. Following Jim’s passing in May, Olivier Peyon generously shared the rushes of his footage. The resulting video features Jim reflecting lucidly on his life as a mathematician, investor, and philanthropist.

He notably discusses his pioneering work on what would later become known as Chern-Simons theory, his entry into investing and the creation of Renaissance Technologies, and the beginnings of his philanthropic efforts, including the founding of the Simons Center for Geometry and Physics at Stony Brook.

IHES extends its deepest gratitude to Olivier Peyon for providing this moving homage to Jim.

Additional personal tributes to Jim by IHES affiliates can be found here.