Albert Turner Bharucha-Reid
| Albert Turner Bharucha-Reid | |
|---|---|
| Born |
November 13, 1927 Hampton, Virginia |
| Died | February 26, 1985 (aged 57) |
| Nationality | American |
| Fields | Mathematics |
| Institutions |
Columbia University, University of California, Berkeley, University of Oregon, Polish Academy of Sciences, Wayne State University, Atlanta University |
| Alma mater |
Iowa State University, University of Chicago |
| Known for | Probability theory, Markov chains |
Albert Turner Bharucha-Reid (November 13, 1927 – February 26, 1985) was an American mathematician and theorist who worked extensively on probability theory, Markov chains, and statistics. The author of more than 70 papers and 6 books, his work touched on such diverse fields as economics, physics, and biology.
Life
Bharucha-Reid was born Albert Turner Reid, the son of William Thaddeus Reid and Mae Elaine Beamon Reid of Hampton, Virginia.[1] He studied math and biology at Iowa State University, where completed a BS in 1949. He continued his studies at the University of Chicago from 1950 to 1953, where he began to focus more intensely on statistics and probability.[1] He published eight papers during his time at the University of Chicago, but he did not finish his PhD dissertation because he felt it was a waste of time.[2] In 1954, he married Rodab Phiroze Bharucha, and he legally changed his name to Albert Turner Bharucha-Reid.[1]
Work
Bharucha-Reid published his first paper, a work on mathematical biology, when he was only 18 years old.[2] He went on to teach and lecture in the United States, Europe, and India. He held professorships or research positions at Columbia University, the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Oregon, Wayne State University, the Polish Academy of Sciences, and Atlanta University.[1] In particular, in 1970 he was appointed Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Wayne State University.[2]
Legacy
A lecture series has been named in his honor by the National Association of Mathematicians.[1]
Selected publications
- Elements of the Theory of Markov Processes and Their Application (1960)
- Probabilistic Methods in Applied Mathematics (1968)
- Random Polynomials, Probability and Mathematical Statistics (1986)
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Spangenburg, Ray, Kit Moser, and Steven Otfinoski (2012). "Bharucha-Reid, Albert Turner." African-American History Online [subscription required]. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
- 1 2 3 Williams, Scott W. (2008)."Mathematicians of the African Diaspora: Albert Turner Bharucha-Reid". The Mathematics Department of the State University of New York at Buffalo. Retrieved 2012-11-25.