Michel Kervaire was a French mathematician known for his contributions to topology and algebraic topology. He was particularly recognized for his work on the Kervaire-Milnor theorem, which relates to the classification of high-dimensional manifolds. His research has had a significant impact on the field, influencing both theoretical and applied mathematics. Kervaire was also involved in the development of homotopy theory, a branch of mathematics that studies topological spaces and their properties through continuous transformations. Throughout his career, he published numerous papers and collaborated with other mathematicians, helping to advance the understanding of complex mathematical concepts.