George David Birkhoff was an American mathematician, born on March 21, 1884, considered one of the top American mathematicians of his generation. He made valuable contributions to the theory of differential equations, dynamical systems, the four-color problem, the three-body problem and general relativity, and is best remembered for the ergodic theorem. Born in Overisel Township, Michigan, to Dutch immigrants, he obtained his A.B. and A.M. from Harvard University, returned to the University of Chicago in 1905 and graduated summa cum laude with his Ph.D. in 1907 in differential equations, with E. H. Moore as his supervisor, though he was most influenced by the writings of Henri Poincaré. He died on November 12, 1944.
Facts
Connections
Attributed Works
Source Chromatic Polynomial (Wikipedia)
In Branch
Source Wikipedia: George David Birkhoff
Mentored
Source Clarence Raymond Adams (Wikipedia)
Source Marshall H. Stone (Wikipedia)
Source MacTutor History of Mathematics: Harold Calvin Marston Morse - MacTutor History of Mathematics
Source Rudolf Ernest Langer (Wikipedia)
Principal Result
Source MacTutor History of Mathematics, University of St Andrews: George David Birkhoff - MacTutor History of Mathematics
Proofs Credited
Source MacTutor History of Mathematics, University of St Andrews: George David Birkhoff - MacTutor History of Mathematics
Source Birkhoff's theorem (electromagnetism) (Wikipedia)
Source Birkhoff's theorem (relativity) (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Nationality
Also in Geography Atlas: the nationality of this subject.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: George David Birkhoff
LeadQuote, Lead
He is considered one of the top American mathematicians of his generation.
2. MacTutor History of Mathematics, University of St Andrews: George David Birkhoff - MacTutor History of Mathematics
MacTutor History of Mathematics, University of St AndrewsQuick Info: Born
21 March 1884
Proofs Credited: Birkhoff Ergodic Theorem, Biography
His most important work was the Ergodic Theorem he discovered in 1931
Principal Result: Birkhoff Ergodic Theorem, Biography text
His most important work was the Ergodic Theorem he discovered in 1931 .
View the Source MacTutor History of Mathematics: Harold Calvin Marston Morse - MacTutor History of Mathematics
MacTutor History of MathematicsMentored: Marston Morse, Biography, doctoral dissertationQuote, Mentored: Marston Morse, Biography, doctoral dissertation
then continued to work there on his doctoral dissertation which was directed by G D Birkhoff
Clarence Raymond Adams (Wikipedia)
Mentored: Clarence Raymond Adams, LeadQuote, Mentored: Clarence Raymond Adams, Lead
Adams received his PhD in 1922 from Harvard University under the direction of G. D. Birkhoff.
Rudolf Ernest Langer (Wikipedia)
Mentored: Rudolf Ernest Langer, Career, doctorateQuote, Mentored: Rudolf Ernest Langer, Career, doctorate
earned his PhD in 1922 from Harvard University under G. D. Birkhoff
Marshall H. Stone (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationMentored: Marshall H. Stone, BiographyQuote, Mentored: Marshall H. Stone, Biography
supervised by George David Birkhoff
Chromatic Polynomial (Wikipedia)
Attributed Works: Chromatic Polynomial, Lead sentence, attributionQuote, Attributed Works: Chromatic Polynomial, Lead sentence, attribution
originally defined by George David Birkhoff
Birkhoff's theorem (relativity) (Wikipedia)
Proofs Credited: Birkhoff's Theorem (General Relativity), LeadQuote, Proofs Credited: Birkhoff's Theorem (General Relativity), Lead
The theorem was first proven by Jørg Tofte Jebsen in 1921 and rediscovered in 1923 by George David Birkhoff (author of another famous Birkhoff theorem, the pointwise ergodic theorem which lies at the foundation of ergodic theory).
Birkhoff's theorem (electromagnetism) (Wikipedia)
Proofs Credited: Birkhoff's Theorem (Electromagnetism), LeadQuote, Proofs Credited: Birkhoff's Theorem (Electromagnetism), Lead
The theorem is due to George D. Birkhoff.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.