The Real Story Behind “A Beautiful Mind”

“He is a Mathematical Genius.”

During his time at Carnegie, John had become a legend among faculty and students alike. His sharp mind was unmatched. It was no wonder then that two of the best Ivy League Colleges wanted him – Princeton and Harvard – and both were offering a free ride. John would choose Princeton when the head of the mathematics department offered him the John S. Kennedy fellowship, convinced that he would be more valued there. His former adviser and professor at Carnegie penned a strong letter of recommendation to Princeton, simply stating, “He is a mathematical genius.”