Solomon Lefschetz is a Princeton mathematician who recruits students for the graduate program in math. He has an “entrepreneurial and energetic” presence and helps to augment Princeton’s status as a top institution for mathematicians. Like John Nash, he values “independent thinking and originality” and is known to be commanding and cantankerous. Nonetheless, he offers Princeton students the opportunity to focus on original research—a focus that helps Nash to develop his famous advances in game theory.