Fields Medal is a highly regarded award for outstanding and promising achievements in mathematics. The medal is named in honor of the Canadian mathematician John Charles Fields . Fields worked to promote recognition of the importance of mathematics. The Fields Medal comes with a cash reward. An organization of mathematicians called the International Mathematical Union sponsors the medals. The medals are awarded to one, two, three, or four people every four years, at the International Congress of Mathematicians.
Fields Medals are somewhat similar to Nobel Prizes (see Nobel Prizes ). But there is no Nobel Prize for mathematics. In addition, only people under the age of 40 are eligible for Fields Medals. There is no such limit for Nobel Prizes.
The Fields Medal was first awarded in 1936 in Oslo, Norway. Around the time of World War II (1939-1945), no Fields Medals were awarded. The medals have been awarded every four years since 1950.
