People talk about the drug usage a lot, but what's also underrated is how much Erdős optimized his life for math. He traveled constantly, attending talks and collaborating with other mathematicians. These collaborations would be intense affairs. You were expected to put him up in your own house, feed him, do his laundry, and pay for transportation to his next location. In return, you'd get to work with one of the greatest mathematical problem solvers ever. He basically figured out a way to do nothing but mathematics for a solid few decades
I'd imagine that between the drug usage and the hosting, these collaborators didn't get that much sleep. Furthermore, because of Erdős' lifestyle, I'd bet that these papers were primarily written up and refined by his co-authors (Ron Graham in many cases). I doubt he'd have the time, what with the constant traveling.
I don't think the degree to which Erdős optimized his life for math is underrated at all. I'd say it's a key feature of what made him who he was, and you'll hear about it in anything involving him that goes past just the work he's done.
> I'd imagine that between the drug usage and the hosting, these collaborators didn't get that much sleep. Furthermore, because of Erdős' lifestyle, I'd bet that these papers were primarily written up and refined by his co-authors (Ron Graham in many cases). I doubt he'd have the time, what with the constant traveling.
A few of those collaborators were my professors in grad school. You're right: not much sleep was had while Erdős was in town, and the business of publication was primarily handled by the collaborators.
I'd imagine that between the drug usage and the hosting, these collaborators didn't get that much sleep. Furthermore, because of Erdős' lifestyle, I'd bet that these papers were primarily written up and refined by his co-authors (Ron Graham in many cases). I doubt he'd have the time, what with the constant traveling.