Historical Developments of the Theory of Transcendence and Algebraic Independence

Abstract

Qu'est la majest{é} de ce qui finit, aupr{è}s des d{é}parts titubants, des d{é}sordres de l'aurore?. Let this question from the French writer Colette guide us to walk through the promising beginnings, fascinating evolutions and results, challenging open problems and perspectives of an exciting theory that is far from revealing all its secrets.