The Formation and Evolution of Massive Black Holes
  The past 10 years have witnessed a change of perspective in the way
astrophysicists think about massive black holes (MBHs), which are now
considered to have a major role in the evolution of galaxies. This appreciation
was driven by the realization that black holes of millions solar masses and
above reside in the center of most galaxies, including the Milky Way. MBHs also
powered active galactic nuclei known to exist just a few hundred million years
after the Big Bang. Here, I summarize the current ideas on the evolution of
MBHs through cosmic history, from their formation about 13 billion years ago to
their growth within their host galaxies.
