Robert Osserman
Encyclopedia
Robert Osserman
is an American mathematician.
Raised in Bronx, he went to Bronx High School of Science
(diploma, 1942) and New York University
.
He earned a Ph.D.
(1955) from Harvard University
on the thesis Contributions to the Problem of Type (on Riemann surfaces) advised by Lars Ahlfors.
He joined Stanford University
(1957) where he is now a professor emeritus.
At the same place he joined the
Mathematical Sciences Research Institute
(1990).
He worked on geometric function theory
,
differential geometry, the two integrated in a theory of minimal surfaces,
isoperimetric inequality, and other issues in the areas of astronomy, geometry, cartography and complex function theory.
Osserman has also been head of mathematics at Office of Naval Research
,
a Fulbright Lecturer at the University of Paris
and Guggenheim Fellow at the University of Warwick
.
He has edited numerous books and promoted mathematics, such as in
interviews with celebrities Steve Martin
and Alan Alda
.
Robert Osserman died on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at his home.
is an American mathematician.
Raised in Bronx, he went to Bronx High School of Science
Bronx High School of Science
The Bronx High School of Science is a specialized New York City public high school often considered the premier science magnet school in the United States. Founded in 1938, it is now located in the Bedford Park section of the Bronx...
(diploma, 1942) and New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
.
He earned a Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
(1955) from Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
on the thesis Contributions to the Problem of Type (on Riemann surfaces) advised by Lars Ahlfors.
He joined Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
(1957) where he is now a professor emeritus.
At the same place he joined the
Mathematical Sciences Research Institute
Mathematical Sciences Research Institute
The Mathematical Sciences Research Institute , founded in 1982, is an independent nonprofit mathematical research institution whose funding sources include the National Science Foundation, foundations, corporations, and more than 90 universities and institutions...
(1990).
He worked on geometric function theory
Geometric function theory
Geometric function theory is the study of geometric properties of analytic functions. A fundamental result in the theory is the Riemann mapping theorem.-Riemann mapping theorem:...
,
differential geometry, the two integrated in a theory of minimal surfaces,
isoperimetric inequality, and other issues in the areas of astronomy, geometry, cartography and complex function theory.
Osserman has also been head of mathematics at Office of Naval Research
Office of Naval Research
The Office of Naval Research , headquartered in Arlington, Virginia , is the office within the United States Department of the Navy that coordinates, executes, and promotes the science and technology programs of the U.S...
,
a Fulbright Lecturer at the University of Paris
University of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
and Guggenheim Fellow at the University of Warwick
University of Warwick
The University of Warwick is a public research university located in Coventry, United Kingdom...
.
He has edited numerous books and promoted mathematics, such as in
interviews with celebrities Steve Martin
Steve Martin
Stephen Glenn "Steve" Martin is an American actor, comedian, writer, playwright, producer, musician and composer....
and Alan Alda
Alan Alda
Alphonso Joseph D'Abruzzo , better known as Alan Alda, is an American actor, director, screenwriter, and author. A six-time Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award winner, he is best known for his role as Hawkeye Pierce in the TV series M*A*S*H...
.
Robert Osserman died on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at his home.
Books
- Two-dimensional calculusCalculusCalculus is a branch of mathematics focused on limits, functions, derivatives, integrals, and infinite series. This subject constitutes a major part of modern mathematics education. It has two major branches, differential calculus and integral calculus, which are related by the fundamental theorem...
(Krieger, 1977) - Survey of minimal surfaces (1986)
- Poetry of the universe — a mathematical exploration of the cosmos (Random HouseRandom HouseRandom House, Inc. is the largest general-interest trade book publisher in the world. It has been owned since 1998 by the German private media corporation Bertelsmann and has become the umbrella brand for Bertelsmann book publishing. Random House also has a movie production arm, Random House Films,...
, 1995)
Awards
- John Simon Guggenheim Memorial FoundationJohn Simon Guggenheim Memorial FoundationThe John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation was founded in 1925 by Mr. and Mrs. Simon Guggenheim in memory of their son, who died April 26, 1922...
fellow (1976) - 2003 Joint Policy Board for MathematicsJoint Policy Board for MathematicsThe Joint Policy Board for Mathematics consists of the American Mathematical Society, the American Statistical Association, the Mathematical Association of America, and the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics....
Communications Award.