The Long Tale of Lie Groups

Abstract

So far we outlined the conceptual development of group theory paying particular attention to finite groups. It is historically correct to do so, since finite groups were the first to be considered and studied. Indeed the very notion of group is to be credited to Galois and, by definition, Galois groups are finite.

The analysts try in vain to conceal the fact that they do not deduce: they combine, they compose ... when they do arrive at the truth they stumble over it after groping their way along.

Evariste Galois