Named in memory of the famous Italian mathematician and physician Paolo Ruffini (1765–1822). In 1799 he published a book on the theory of equations, with the claim that the solution by radicals of a general equation of degree greater of four is impossible. Initially the mathematical community showed no interest in his work. However, in 1821 his work was acknowledged by Cauchy, who was influenced by his investigations and had generalized some of Ruffini’s results. Due to political problems he had to leave his chair in mathematics at Modena and begin a career in medicine, tending to patients from the poorest to the richest. (M 34347) _ _.