Mark Ronan
Encyclopedia
Mark Andrew Ronan is Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at the University of Illinois at Chicago
and Honorary Professor of Mathematics at University College London
. He has lived and taught in: Germany (at the University of Braunschweig and the Free University of Berlin
); in England, where from 1989 to 1992 he was Mason Professor of Mathematics at the University of Birmingham
; and America at the University of Illinois at Chicago
, where his teaching included courses on ancient literature from Mesopotamia, and on the history of the calendar, as well as mathematics.
In addition to his research papers, Ronan's popular account of the quest to discover and classify all the finite building blocks for symmetry (the finite simple groups
) was published in 2006. In 2008 it formed the basis for a series of BBC radio broadcasts. In his research work he is an expert on the theory of Buildings, with a standard text on the subject, now being reissued in paperback. Apart from his professional work, he has acted in many operas at the Lyric Opera of Chicago
, danced in the Nutcracker, and maintains a blog on opera, ballet and theatre reviews.
University of Illinois at Chicago
The University of Illinois at Chicago, or UIC, is a state-funded public research university located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Its campus is in the Near West Side community area, near the Chicago Loop...
and Honorary Professor of Mathematics at University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
. He has lived and taught in: Germany (at the University of Braunschweig and the Free University of Berlin
Free University of Berlin
Freie Universität Berlin is one of the leading and most prestigious research universities in Germany and continental Europe. It distinguishes itself through its modern and international character. It is the largest of the four universities in Berlin. Research at the university is focused on the...
); in England, where from 1989 to 1992 he was Mason Professor of Mathematics at the University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
; and America at the University of Illinois at Chicago
University of Illinois at Chicago
The University of Illinois at Chicago, or UIC, is a state-funded public research university located in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Its campus is in the Near West Side community area, near the Chicago Loop...
, where his teaching included courses on ancient literature from Mesopotamia, and on the history of the calendar, as well as mathematics.
In addition to his research papers, Ronan's popular account of the quest to discover and classify all the finite building blocks for symmetry (the finite simple groups
Classification of finite simple groups
In mathematics, the classification of the finite simple groups is a theorem stating that every finite simple group belongs to one of four categories described below. These groups can be seen as the basic building blocks of all finite groups, in much the same way as the prime numbers are the basic...
) was published in 2006. In 2008 it formed the basis for a series of BBC radio broadcasts. In his research work he is an expert on the theory of Buildings, with a standard text on the subject, now being reissued in paperback. Apart from his professional work, he has acted in many operas at the Lyric Opera of Chicago
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Lyric Opera of Chicago is one of the leading opera companies in the United States. It was founded in Chicago in 1952, under the name 'Lyric Theatre of Chicago' by Carol Fox, Nicolà Rescigno and Lawrence Kelly, with a season that included Maria Callas's American debut in Norma...
, danced in the Nutcracker, and maintains a blog on opera, ballet and theatre reviews.