Mathematicians from IllinoisBy Melissa Patterson

“In many cases, mathematics is an escape from reality. The mathematician finds his own monastic niche and happiness

in pursuits that are disconnected from external affairs. Some practice it as if using a drug. Chess sometimes plays a similar role. In their unhappiness over the events of this

world, some immerse themselves in a kind of self-sufficiency in mathematics. (Some have engaged in it for

this reason alone.)”-Ulam Stanislaw

Abraham Adrian Albert

From Chicago, IllinoisGraduated from John Marshall High School in 1922.Graduated from the University of Chicago with a Ph. D. for a doctoral dissertation, Algebra and their Radicals and Division Algebras.Studied Reimann matrices at Princeton for nine months

Albert’s FamilyParents: Elias Albert (father) and Fannie Fradkin (mother)Four siblingsMarried Freda Davis in 19273 children-Roy, Alan and Nancy5 grandchildren

Abraham Adrian Albert’s Career

1929-1931-worked as an instructor at Columbia University1931-1937 Worked at the University of Chicago as assistant professor.1937-promoted to associate professor1941-promoted to full professor1958-1962- Department chairmanWorked at Northwestern University as associate director of the Applied Mathematics group.

Mathematical contributions

Worked on associative and non-associative algebras, and Reimann Matrices.In 1937, he published Modern Higher AlgebraIn 1939, Structure of Algebras was publishedReceived a Cole prize in Algebra from the American mathematical Society.

Other Achievements

President of the American Mathematical SocietyChairmen of the Mathematics section of the National Research CouncilElected to the National Academy of Sciences, the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, and the Argentine Academy of Sciences.

Herstein on Albert“He viewed the profession of

mathematician with a great deal of pride and he did everything he could to have it recognized as he felt it deserved.”

David Harold Blackwell

Centralia, IllinoisEnjoyed geometry, but did not like algebra and trigonometry in school.Entered the University of Illinois at age 16 and graduated with a doctorate in 1941.

Blackwell’s family

Parents: Grover Blackwell (father) and Mabel Johnson (mother).Oldest of four children, he had two brothers and one sister.Married Ann Madison.

Blackwell’s CareerTaught at Rosenwald Postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton for one year.Taught Southern University at Baton Rouge and Clark College in Atlanta.In 1944 became an instructor at Howard University.Promoted to Head of the Mathematics department and then Chairmen of the Department of Statistics.Finished career at the University of California in 1989.

Mathematical contributions

In 1954, Theory of Games and Statistical Decisions was published.Published work in Infinite games and analytic sets.Found a game theory proof of the Kuratowski Reduction Theorem and connecting the areas of game theory and topology.

Other Achievements

• 1965-elected to the National Academy of Sciences.

• Awarded the John von Neumann Theory Prize from the Operations Research Society of America.

• Received the R.A. Fisher Award from the committee of Presidents of Statistical Societies.

How he felt about math

“It became clear that (mathematics) was not simply a few things that I liked. The whole subject was just beautiful.”-Blackwell.

Jesse Ernest Wilkins Jr.

Chicago, IllinoisYoungest student to enter University of Chicago. He was 13.Received doctorate when he was 19. Then continued to study at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton.

Wilkin’s Family

Parents: J Ernest Wilkins Sr.(father) and Lucile Beatrice Robinson (mother).Married Gloria Stewart.Had two children: Sharon and J. Ernest III.

Wilkin’s CareerTaught at Tuskegee Institute.Worked on the Manhattan Project at the University of Chicago.Mathematician at the American Optical Company and then at the United Nuclear Corporation of America. Manager of the Mathematics and Physics department and then of Research and Development.Distinguished professor of Applied Mathematical Physics at Howard University.Vice President and Deputy General Manager for Science and Engineering at EG&G.Worked as a fellow and consultant at the Argonne national Laboratory.In 1990, he became a Distinguished Professor of Applied Mathematics and Mathematical Physics at Clark Atlanta University.

Mathematical Contributions

Wrote over 50 papers.Did work on the gamma ray penetration, which was used in designing nuclear reactors and radiation shieldsAlso did work with heat transfer.

Other AchievementsElected to the American association for the Advancement of Science, a Fellowship of the American Nuclear Society, the National Academy of Engineering and the Honorary membership of the National Association of Mathematicians.President of the American Nuclear Society.On the Council of the American Mathematical Society.Awarded the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal by the U.S. Army.

Other Mathematicians for Illinois

Walter Andrew Shewhart- New Canton, Illinois.Alston Scott Householder-Rockford, Illinois.Gilbert Ames Bliss, Richard Wesley Hamming, Vera Pless-Chicago, Illinois.Joseph Leo Doob, William Werner Boone-Urbana, Illinois.

Who’s your favorite Mathematician?

• Find out at http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/MathQuiz/

Bibliography

• O’Connor, John J. and Robertson, Edward F.The MacTutor History of

Mathematics Archive. http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/BirthplaceMaps/Countries/USA.html

The End.