Van der Waerden is mainly remembered for his work on abstract algebra. He also wrote on algebraic geometry, topology, number theory, geometry, combinatorics, analysis, probability and statistics, and quantum mechanics (he and Heisenberg had been colleagues at Leipzig). In his later years, he turned to the history of mathematics and science. His historical writings include "Ontwakende wetenschap" (1950), which was translated into English as "Science Awakening" (1954), "Sources of Quantum Mechanics" (1967), "Geometry and Algebra in Ancient Civilizations" (1983), and "A History of Algebra" (1985).