On simultaneous triangularization of collections of compact operators

In this paper we consider collections of compact (resp. C_p class) operators on arbitrary Banach (resp. Hilbert) spaces. For a subring R of reals, it is proved that an R-algebra of compact operators with spectra in R on an arbitrary Banach space is triangularizable if and only if every member of the algebra is triangularizable. It is proved that every triangularizability result on certain collections, e.g., semigroups, of compact operators on a complex Banach (resp. Hilbert) space gives rise to its counterpart on a real Banach (resp. Hilbert) space. We use our main results to present new proofs as well as extensions of certain classical theorems (e.g., those due to Kolchin, McCoy, and others) on arbitrary Banach (resp. Hilbert) spaces.