Enumerative Algebraic Geometry

1989 marked the 150th anniversary of the birth of the great Danish mathematician Hieronymus George Zeuthen. Zeuthen's name is known to every algebraic geometer because of his discovery of a basic invariant of surfaces. However, he also did fundamental research in intersection theory, enumerative geometry, and the projective geometry of curves and surfaces. Zeuthen's extraordinary devotion to his subject, his characteristic depth, thoroughness, and clarity of thought, and his precise and succinct writing style are truly inspiring. During the past ten years or so, algebraic geometers have reexamined Zeuthen's work, drawing from it inspiration and new directions for development in the field. The 1989 Zeuthen Symposium, held in the summer of 1989 at the Mathematical Institute of the University of Copenhagen, provided a historic opportunity for mathematicians to gather and examine those areas in contemporary mathematical research which have evolved from Zeuthen's fruitful ideas. This volume, containing papers presented during the symposium, as well as others inspired by it, illuminates some currently active areas of research in enumerative algebraic geometry.