Mathematical Problems : Lecture delivered before the International Congress of Mathematicians at Paris in 1900

At the turn of the twentieth century, a leading mathematician stood before the International Congress in Paris and asked the assembled scholars to glimpse the future of their discipline. In this landmark address he argues that the vitality of mathematics rests on the problems it poses, describing what makes a problem both clear enough to attract attention and challenging enough to inspire new methods. Listeners are guided through a thoughtful survey of the most pressing questions of his day, framed as signposts toward discoveries yet to come.

The lecture proceeds to present a curated set of open questions that would come to shape research for decades. While each problem is introduced with historical context and a hint of its deeper implications, the true solutions remain beyond the scope of the talk, leaving the audience with a sense of anticipation. This collection offers a rare window into the mindset of a mathematician poised at the crossroads of past achievements and future breakthroughs, making it an engaging listen for anyone curious about the roots of modern mathematical inquiry.