this monograph, unique in the literature, is the first to develop a mathematical theory of gravitational lensing. the theory applies to any finite number of deflector planes and highlights the distinctions between single and multiple plane lensing. introductory material in parts i and ii present historical highlights and the astrophysical aspects of the subject. among the lensing topics discussed are multiple quasars, giant luminous arcs, einstein rings, the detection of dark matter and planets with lensing, time delays and the age of the universe (hubbles constant), microlensing of stars and quasars. the main part of the book---part iii---employs the ideas and results of singularity theory to put gravitational lensing on a rigorous mathematical foundation and solve certain key lensing problems. results are published here for the first time. mathematical topics discussed: morse theory, whitney singularity theory, thom catastrophe theory, mather stability theory, arnold singularity theory, and the euler characteristic via projectivized rotation numbers. these tools are applied to the study of stable lens systems, local and global geometry of caustics, caustic metamorphoses, multiple lensed images, lensed image magnification, magnification cross sections, and lensing by singular and nonsingular deflectors. examples, illustrations, bibliography and index make this a suitable text for an undergraduate/graduate course, seminar, or independent thesis project on gravitational lensing. the book is also an excellent reference text for professional mathematicians, mathematical physicists, astrophysicists, and physicists.