Oswald Veblen's Extraordinary Legacy Honored at Princeton University

On October 22, 2025, Princeton University's President Eisgruber presided over a dedication of spaces at Prospect House for "for exemplary individuals who helped to shape the University and the world." Among those honored was Oswald Veblen, for whom the South Terrace is now named.

The article described Oswald Veblen thusly:

Oswald Veblen (Oswald Veblen Terrace). Veblen was an internationally recognized mathematician who taught at Princeton for 27 years starting in 1905. He played a central role in building Princeton mathematics into a world-renowned department and was instrumental in establishing the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS), where he also served on the faculty. Veblen made important contributions to differential geometry and the early development of topology, which found applications in atomic physics and the theory of relativity. He was also known for his humanitarian work during the rise of Nazism in Germany, helping bring Albert Einstein and other top scholars fleeing Hitler’s regime to U.S. academic institutions, including IAS and Princeton.

On the plaque at Prospect House, we were delighted to see that the description of Veblen's many contributions includes mention of the pioneering open space preservation he and his wife Elizabeth achieved. "Veblen left an enduring legacy beyond the campus walls through his preservation efforts that contributed to the establishment of the Institute Woods and Herrontown Woods."

Of the twelve individuals honored, President Eisgruber said. “Their tenacity enabled them to excel. To persevere. To lead. To pursue their passions. To forge new paths. To fight injustices.”

The Terrace is a fitting space to name after Veblen, given his love both of buildings and of the outdoors.