This volume contains the proceedings of the Kovalevsky symposium held in Stockholm 2000. The first part is devoted to the life of S. Kovalevsky, the first female professor of mathematics, who influenced the development of European science during the 19th century. Historical notes by G. Mittag-Leffler and copies of official documents related to her life as well as several articles on her life and mathematics are presented. The main articles by J.-E. Bjork describe her life and professorship at Stockholm university. Part two of the volume contains 23 contributions in pure and applied mathematics, and in mathematical physics resulting from the lectures delivered within the programme of the symposium.