John Macnaghten Whittaker
Encyclopedia
John Macnaghten Whittaker (7 March 1905–29 January 1984) was a British mathematician
and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield
from 1953 to 1965.
, the son of mathematician Edmund Taylor Whittaker. He went to Fettes College
in Edinburgh
, then Edinburgh University at the age of 15, followed by Trinity College, Cambridge
, in 1923. In 1927 started his academic career as an assistant lecturer at Edinburgh University (obtaining a DSc), followed by a fellowship at Pembroke College, Cambridge
, before becoming a professor of pure mathematics
at Liverpool University in 1933. The same year married Iona Mhari Natalie Elliott: they had two sons. During the Second World War he served with the 8th Army
on Field-Marshal Montgomery
's staff.
After the war he returned to Liverpool, becoming Dean of Science, then in 1953 moved to Sheffield
to take up the post of Vice-Chancellor. During his office the University expanded from 2500 to 7000 students requiring the appointment of many new staff and the construction of many buildings. However, he also had to oversee the first closure of an English university department, the Department of Mining. His office covered the centenary celebration of the University in 1955, including a visit by the Queen
. He retired from this position in 1965, and was honoured by being given the freedom of the city of Sheffield.
In retirement he expanded his other interests in art and archeology, collecting watercolours and Persian antiques. He died 29 January 1984.
, but his main work was on complex analysis
. J. M. Whitaker also made some significant development in the cardinal function
theory of his father, E. T. Whitaker. In 1949 J. M. Whitaker was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, an honour already held by his father – they were the only parent and child to have this simultaneously.
Mathematician
A mathematician is a person whose primary area of study is the field of mathematics. Mathematicians are concerned with quantity, structure, space, and change....
and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield
University of Sheffield
The University of Sheffield is a research university based in the city of Sheffield in South Yorkshire, England. It is one of the original 'red brick' universities and is a member of the Russell Group of leading research intensive universities...
from 1953 to 1965.
Life
Whittaker was born 7 March 1905 in CambridgeCambridge
The city of Cambridge is a university town and the administrative centre of the county of Cambridgeshire, England. It lies in East Anglia about north of London. Cambridge is at the heart of the high-technology centre known as Silicon Fen – a play on Silicon Valley and the fens surrounding the...
, the son of mathematician Edmund Taylor Whittaker. He went to Fettes College
Fettes College
Fettes College is an independent school for boarding and day pupils in Edinburgh, Scotland with over two thirds of its pupils in residence on campus...
in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, then Edinburgh University at the age of 15, followed by Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
, in 1923. In 1927 started his academic career as an assistant lecturer at Edinburgh University (obtaining a DSc), followed by a fellowship at Pembroke College, Cambridge
Pembroke College, Cambridge
Pembroke College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The college has over seven hundred students and fellows, and is the third oldest college of the university. Physically, it is one of the university's larger colleges, with buildings from almost every century since its...
, before becoming a professor of pure mathematics
Pure mathematics
Broadly speaking, pure mathematics is mathematics which studies entirely abstract concepts. From the eighteenth century onwards, this was a recognized category of mathematical activity, sometimes characterized as speculative mathematics, and at variance with the trend towards meeting the needs of...
at Liverpool University in 1933. The same year married Iona Mhari Natalie Elliott: they had two sons. During the Second World War he served with the 8th Army
Eighth Army (United Kingdom)
The Eighth Army was one of the best-known formations of the British Army during World War II, fighting in the North African and Italian campaigns....
on Field-Marshal Montgomery
Bernard Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein
Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, KG, GCB, DSO, PC , nicknamed "Monty" and the "Spartan General" was a British Army officer. He saw action in the First World War, when he was seriously wounded, and during the Second World War he commanded the 8th Army from...
's staff.
After the war he returned to Liverpool, becoming Dean of Science, then in 1953 moved to Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
to take up the post of Vice-Chancellor. During his office the University expanded from 2500 to 7000 students requiring the appointment of many new staff and the construction of many buildings. However, he also had to oversee the first closure of an English university department, the Department of Mining. His office covered the centenary celebration of the University in 1955, including a visit by the Queen
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
. He retired from this position in 1965, and was honoured by being given the freedom of the city of Sheffield.
In retirement he expanded his other interests in art and archeology, collecting watercolours and Persian antiques. He died 29 January 1984.
Work and honours
There were early papers (1926–28) on quantum theoryQuantum mechanics
Quantum mechanics, also known as quantum physics or quantum theory, is a branch of physics providing a mathematical description of much of the dual particle-like and wave-like behavior and interactions of energy and matter. It departs from classical mechanics primarily at the atomic and subatomic...
, but his main work was on complex analysis
Complex analysis
Complex analysis, traditionally known as the theory of functions of a complex variable, is the branch of mathematical analysis that investigates functions of complex numbers. It is useful in many branches of mathematics, including number theory and applied mathematics; as well as in physics,...
. J. M. Whitaker also made some significant development in the cardinal function
Cardinal function
In mathematics, a cardinal function is a function that returns cardinal numbers.- Cardinal functions in set theory :...
theory of his father, E. T. Whitaker. In 1949 J. M. Whitaker was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, an honour already held by his father – they were the only parent and child to have this simultaneously.