Irene Stegun
Encyclopedia
Irene Anne Stegun was a mathematician
at the National Bureau of Standards who, with Milton Abramowitz
, edited a classic book of mathematical tables called A Handbook of Mathematical Functions, widely known as Abramowitz and Stegun
. When Abramowitz died of a heart attack in 1958, Stegun took over management of the project and was able to finish the work by 1964, working under the direction of the NBS Chief of Numerical Analysis
Philip J. Davis
, who was also a contributor to the book.
Stegun began her mathematical career during the second world war. After teaching mathematics at a Catholic School in New York, she joined the Planning Committee of the Mathematical Tables Project
of the WPA
. In that role, she learned the basics of numerical analysis from the committee's chair, Gertrude Blanch
. While working at the Mathematics Tables Project, she completed a Masters Degree in Mathematics at Columbia University
.
In 1948, Stegun and a handful of other members of the Mathematical Tables Project moved to Washington, DC, where they become the Computation Laboratory of the National Bureau of Standards, now NIST. She eventually rose to assistant chief of the Computation Laboratory at NBS. In 1965, Stegun was awarded a Gold Medal from the Department of Commerce
for her efforts in completing the project. She held the position of assistant chief of the Computing Lab until she became the interim director in 1965.
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
at the National Bureau of Standards who, with Milton Abramowitz
Milton Abramowitz
Milton Abramowitz was a mathematician at the National Bureau of Standards who, with Irene Stegun, edited a classic book of mathematical tables called Handbook of Mathematical Functions, widely known as Abramowitz and Stegun. Abramowitz died of a heart attack in 1958, at which time the book was not...
, edited a classic book of mathematical tables called A Handbook of Mathematical Functions, widely known as Abramowitz and Stegun
Abramowitz and Stegun
Abramowitz and Stegun is the informal name of a mathematical reference work edited by Milton Abramowitz and Irene Stegun of the U.S. National Bureau of Standards...
. When Abramowitz died of a heart attack in 1958, Stegun took over management of the project and was able to finish the work by 1964, working under the direction of the NBS Chief of Numerical Analysis
Numerical analysis
Numerical analysis is the study of algorithms that use numerical approximation for the problems of mathematical analysis ....
Philip J. Davis
Philip J. Davis
Philip J. Davis is an American applied mathematician.Davis was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He is known for his work in numerical analysis and approximation theory, as well as his investigations in the history and philosophy of mathematics...
, who was also a contributor to the book.
Stegun began her mathematical career during the second world war. After teaching mathematics at a Catholic School in New York, she joined the Planning Committee of the Mathematical Tables Project
Mathematical Tables Project
The Mathematical Tables Project was one of the largest and most sophisticated computing organizations that operated prior to the invention of the digital electronic computer. Begun in 1938 as a project of the Works Progress Administration , it employed 450 out-of-work clerks to tabulate higher...
of the WPA
WPA
- Agencies and organizations :*World Pool-Billiard Association*World Psychiatric Association- United States :*Washington Project for the Arts*Women's Prison Association...
. In that role, she learned the basics of numerical analysis from the committee's chair, Gertrude Blanch
Gertrude Blanch
Gertrude Blanch was an American mathematician who did pioneering work in numerical analysis and computation.Blanch was born Gittel Kaimowitz in Kolno, Russia , arrived in the United States as a child, and attended public schools in New York City. She spent fourteen years as a clerk, saving money...
. While working at the Mathematics Tables Project, she completed a Masters Degree in Mathematics at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
.
In 1948, Stegun and a handful of other members of the Mathematical Tables Project moved to Washington, DC, where they become the Computation Laboratory of the National Bureau of Standards, now NIST. She eventually rose to assistant chief of the Computation Laboratory at NBS. In 1965, Stegun was awarded a Gold Medal from the Department of Commerce
United States Department of Commerce
The United States Department of Commerce is the Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with promoting economic growth. It was originally created as the United States Department of Commerce and Labor on February 14, 1903...
for her efforts in completing the project. She held the position of assistant chief of the Computing Lab until she became the interim director in 1965.