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His most famous result is his proof, joint with John G. Thompson, of the Feit–Thompson theorem that all finite groups of odd order are solvable. At the time it was written, it was probably the most complicated and difficult mathematical proof ever completed.[2]: 330–331 He wrote almost a hundred other papers, mostly on finite group theory, character theory (in particular introducing the concept of a coherent set of characters), and modular representation theory. Another regular theme in his research was the study of linear groups of small degree, that is, finite groups of matrices in low dimensions. It was often the case that, while the conclusions concerned groups of complex matrices, the techniques employed were from modular representation theory.
He also wrote the books:The representation theory of finite groups[3] and Characters of finite groups,[4] which are now standard references on character theory, including treatments of modular representations
and modular characters.
"In October 2003, on the eve of Professor Feit's retirement, colleagues and former students gathered at Yale for a special four-day "Conference on Groups, Representations and Galois Theory" to honor him and his contributions. Nearly 80 researchers from around the world met to exchange ideas in the fields he had helped to create."[5]
He died in Branford, Connecticut in 2004 and was survived by his wife, Dr. Sidnie Feit, and a son and daughter.[1]
"A memorial service was held on Sunday, October 10, 2004, at the New Haven Lawn Club, 193 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT."
