Tribute to Jim Simons by Thibault Damour

Writing this tribute, I’ve come to realize the profound influence of Jim Simons’ support for fundamental research and science on my daily work.

It begins early in the morning when I browse through the new preprints posted on the arXiv the night before. This platform, greatly sponsored by the Simons Foundation, provides free online access to millions of scientific articles and has become an indispensable tool in the dissemination of scientific research.

After my morning reading at home, I make my way to my office at IHES, walking by what is now called the Marilyn and Jim Simons Conference Center (pictured above). I can’t help but reflect on the history of this beautiful building, once the music pavilion of the Comar family, the previous owners of the Bois-Marie estate that now accomodates the Institute. It is in this pavilion that Alexander Grothendieck and Jean Dieudonné ran the famous Séminaire de géométrie algébrique, which played a pivotal role in establishing the Institute’s reputation. When I first arrived at IHES, the building had been converted into the library. Thanks to the generous support of Marilyn and Jim, the pavilion has been renovated and expanded to accommodate IHES’ largest lecture hall, where most seminars, conferences, and summer schools are now held year-round.

As I finally enter the scientific building of the Institute, its hallway reveals the photo gallery of IHES permanent scientists and visitors, many of whom are sponsored by the various support programs of the Simons Foundation. I, along with all other Permanent Professors, have personally benefited from the generous, unparalleled, and transformative funding provided by Marilyn and Jim to the Institute.

IHES holds a special place in fostering the creativity of scientists over the long run, and Jim will always be remembered as the most influential and visionary donor of IHES. His contributions have been instrumental in securing the Institute’s future in times of and change and uncertainty. May he rest in peace.

Thibault Damour,
Bures-sur-Yvette, May 2024