Famous Canadian Mathematicians

Manjul Bhargava is a Canadian-American mathematician renowned for his work in number theory. He holds prestigious professorships at Princeton University and Leiden University, along with adjunct positions at several prominent academic institutions in India. Bhargava's notable achievements include receiving the Fields Medal in 2014 for his innovative contributions to the geometry of numbers and his applications in counting rings and elliptic curves. He has also served on significant committees, such as the Padma Award committee in 2023, showcasing his leadership and influence in the mathematical community.

Robert Langlands is a prominent Canadian mathematician renowned for creating the Langlands program, which has revolutionized the study of number theory. His work connects representation theory, automorphic forms, and Galois groups, leading to groundbreaking conjectures and results. Langlands received the prestigious Abel Prize in 2018 for his contributions to mathematics. He served as an emeritus professor at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, occupying Albert Einstein's former office until his retirement in 2020.

Albert W. Tucker was a distinguished Canadian mathematician known for his significant contributions to various fields. His work in topology, game theory, and non-linear programming has had a lasting impact on the field of mathematics. Tucker's research in game theory helped shape the understanding of strategic decision-making processes. In addition, his contributions to topology and non-linear programming have advanced the theoretical foundations in these areas. Throughout his career, Tucker was recognized for his innovative approach and influential work in mathematics.

William Thomas Tutte was an accomplished English and Canadian code breaker and mathematician known for his vital role in breaking the Lorenz cipher during World War II, which significantly contributed to the defeat of Nazi Germany. He made notable contributions to graph theory, particularly in the development of matroid theory, expanding upon the pioneering work of Hassler Whitney. Tutte's research advanced graph theory from a nascent field to its current active state, despite some disparities in his terminology with conventional usage among graph theorists.

Simon Newcomb was a prominent Canadian-American astronomer and mathematician who held positions as a Professor of Mathematics in the United States Navy and at Johns Hopkins University. Despite his limited formal education, he obtained a B.S. degree from Harvard and went on to make significant contributions to timekeeping, economics, and statistics. Newcomb was known for his expertise in various languages, as well as his authorship of popular science books and a science fiction novel.

Stephen Arthur Cook is an esteemed American-Canadian computer scientist and mathematician renowned for his groundbreaking work in complexity theory and proof complexity. Serving as a university professor emeritus at the University of Toronto in both the Department of Computer Science and Department of Mathematics, Cook is hailed as a pioneer in computational complexity theory. His significant contributions have greatly advanced the understanding of computational problems and algorithms, cementing his legacy as a key figure in the field.

Erik D. Demaine is a renowned Canadian-American computer science professor at MIT, known for his exceptional talents since childhood. He has made significant contributions to the field of theoretical computer science, particularly in algorithms, data structures, and computational geometry. Demaine has received numerous awards and honors for his research, and he is widely recognized for his innovative work in designing efficient algorithms for solving complex problems. As a former child prodigy, he continues to inspire and educate the next generation of computer scientists through his teaching and mentorship.

Harold Scott MacDonald Coxeter was a prominent British-Canadian geometer and mathematician known for his significant contributions to the field. He spent most of his career at the University of Toronto in Canada, where he worked for 60 years and became a full professor in 1948. Coxeter authored 12 books, including notable works like The Fifty-Nine Icosahedra and Regular Polytopes. Throughout his career, he received numerous honors and memberships in prestigious academic societies, solidifying his reputation as one of the greatest geometers of the 20th century.

Irving Kaplansky was a renowned mathematician known for his significant contributions to various branches of mathematics, including algebra, ring theory, and operator theory. He served as a distinguished professor at various universities, including the University of Chicago and the University of California, Berkeley. Kaplansky was also a prolific author, having written numerous influential textbooks and research papers. In addition to his mathematical pursuits, he was an accomplished amateur musician, showcasing his diverse talents and interests throughout his career.

John Urschel is a Canadian-American mathematician and former professional football guard. He played college football at Penn State and was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2014. Urschel retired from the NFL in 2017 at the age of 26. He holds bachelor's, master's, and PhD degrees in mathematics. Urschel is an advanced stats columnist for The Players' Tribune, serves on the College Football Playoff selection committee, and is an assistant professor at the Department of Mathematics at MIT.

William Kahan is a prominent Canadian mathematician and computer scientist renowned for his significant contributions to numerical analysis. He was honored with the prestigious Turing Award in 1989 for his groundbreaking work in this field. Kahan's expertise and influence in numerical computing led to his recognition as an ACM Fellow in 1994. In 2005, he was further acknowledged for his exceptional contributions by being inducted into the National Academy of Engineering, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in the realm of numerical analysis.

J. Carson Mark was a Canadian-American mathematician renowned for his pivotal role in developing nuclear weapons for the United States at Los Alamos National Laboratory. He joined the Manhattan Project in 1945, leading the Theoretical Division until 1973. Mark oversaw the development of new weapons, including the hydrogen bomb, and brought together experts like Edward Teller and Stanislaw Ulam. He served as a scientific adviser to the US delegation at nuclear conferences and held advisory roles in key organizations post-retirement.

Nathan Divinsky was a distinguished Canadian mathematician, university professor, and accomplished chess master, writer, and official. With expertise in both mathematics and chess, he made significant contributions to both fields. Divinsky's professional career was marked by his passion for teaching and his notable achievements in chess, where he excelled as a player, writer, and official. His work in academia and the world of chess left a lasting impact, solidifying his reputation as a respected figure in both domains.