A Beautiful Mind

by

Sylvia Nasar

Levinson is a “first-rate mathematician” at MIT who acts as a “sounding board and father substitute” to John Nash. Like William Ted Martin, Levinson’s Communist past is revealed during the McCarthy years; nonetheless, Levinson remains the “most respected member” of the math department, a “thoughtful, decisive,” and empathetic leader who becomes a “role model” for Nash. Levinson defends Nash after Nash begins to suffer psychotic episodes and exhibits erratic behavior that leads to his resignation from MIT; he later attempts to recruit Nash back to MIT.
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Norman Levinson Character Timeline in A Beautiful Mind

The timeline below shows where the character Norman Levinson appears in A Beautiful Mind. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 16 – MIT
Genius, Morality, and Relationships Theme Icon
...Nash begins to view Wiener as a “kindred spirit.” Nash also becomes close with Norman Levinson, a prominent MIT professor who, like Al Tucker at Princeton, plays the role of “sounding... (full context)
Chapter 19 – Reds
Mental Illness, Recovery, and the Quest for Knowledge Theme Icon
...institutions are beginning to feel “vulnerable”; Solomon Lefschetz is identified as a “communist sympathizer.” Norman Levinson is questioned, though he refuses to name other suspected communists. Though Nash is not involved... (full context)
Chapter 20 – Geometry
Mental Illness, Recovery, and the Quest for Knowledge Theme Icon
...were impossible to solve with existing methods. Though few believe Nash will solve the problem—even Levinson—Nash is like a “long-distance runner”: he perseveres where others give up and is a “hard... (full context)
Chapter 37 – Mad Hatter’s Tea
Mental Illness, Recovery, and the Quest for Knowledge Theme Icon
...has decided that he wants to obtain Swiss citizenship. Nash submits a resignation letter, which Levinson tries to refuse; ultimately, though, MIT is unable to force Nash to stay on. Nash... (full context)
Chapter 42 – The “Blowing Up” Problem
Mental Illness, Recovery, and the Quest for Knowledge Theme Icon
Love, Desire, and the Impact of Hidden Lives Theme Icon
...he will be able to conduct research at Brandeis University, supported by grants that Norman Levinson obtained for him. (full context)