Phillip Griffiths
Encyclopedia
Phillip Griffiths is an American mathematician
, known for his work in the field of geometry
, and in particular for the complex manifold
approach to algebraic geometry
. He was a major developer in particular of the theory of variation of Hodge structure in Hodge theory
and moduli theory.
He received his B.S. from Wake Forest College in 1959 and his Ph.D. from Princeton University
in 1962 working under Donald Spencer. Since then, he has held positions at Berkeley
(1962-1967), Princeton (1967-1972), Harvard University
(1972-1983), Duke University
(1983-1991), and the Institute for Advanced Study
(1991 to the present), where he was Director until 2003. He has published on algebraic geometry, differential geometry, geometric function theory
, and the geometry of partial differential equations.
In 2008 he was awarded the Wolf Prize (jointly with Deligne and Mumford
). He is co-author, with Joe Harris, of Principles of Algebraic Geometry, a well-regarded textbook on complex
algebraic geometry
.
Griffiths serves as the Chair of the Science Initiative Group
.
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....
, known for his work in the field of geometry
Geometry
Geometry arose as the field of knowledge dealing with spatial relationships. Geometry was one of the two fields of pre-modern mathematics, the other being the study of numbers ....
, and in particular for the complex manifold
Complex manifold
In differential geometry, a complex manifold is a manifold with an atlas of charts to the open unit disk in Cn, such that the transition maps are holomorphic....
approach to algebraic geometry
Algebraic geometry
Algebraic geometry is a branch of mathematics which combines techniques of abstract algebra, especially commutative algebra, with the language and the problems of geometry. It occupies a central place in modern mathematics and has multiple conceptual connections with such diverse fields as complex...
. He was a major developer in particular of the theory of variation of Hodge structure in Hodge theory
Hodge theory
In mathematics, Hodge theory, named after W. V. D. Hodge, is one aspect of the study of the algebraic topology of a smooth manifold M. More specifically, it works out the consequences for the cohomology groups of M, with real coefficients, of the partial differential equation theory of generalised...
and moduli theory.
He received his B.S. from Wake Forest College in 1959 and his Ph.D. from Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
in 1962 working under Donald Spencer. Since then, he has held positions at Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
(1962-1967), Princeton (1967-1972), Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
(1972-1983), Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
(1983-1991), and the Institute for Advanced Study
Institute for Advanced Study
The Institute for Advanced Study, located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States, is an independent postgraduate center for theoretical research and intellectual inquiry. It was founded in 1930 by Abraham Flexner...
(1991 to the present), where he was Director until 2003. He has published on algebraic geometry, differential geometry, geometric function theory
Geometric function theory
Geometric function theory is the study of geometric properties of analytic functions. A fundamental result in the theory is the Riemann mapping theorem.-Riemann mapping theorem:...
, and the geometry of partial differential equations.
In 2008 he was awarded the Wolf Prize (jointly with Deligne and Mumford
David Mumford
David Bryant Mumford is an American mathematician known for distinguished work in algebraic geometry, and then for research into vision and pattern theory. He won the Fields Medal and was a MacArthur Fellow. In 2010 he was awarded the National Medal of Science...
). He is co-author, with Joe Harris, of Principles of Algebraic Geometry, a well-regarded textbook on complex
Complex number
A complex number is a number consisting of a real part and an imaginary part. Complex numbers extend the idea of the one-dimensional number line to the two-dimensional complex plane by using the number line for the real part and adding a vertical axis to plot the imaginary part...
algebraic geometry
Algebraic geometry
Algebraic geometry is a branch of mathematics which combines techniques of abstract algebra, especially commutative algebra, with the language and the problems of geometry. It occupies a central place in modern mathematics and has multiple conceptual connections with such diverse fields as complex...
.
Griffiths serves as the Chair of the Science Initiative Group
Science Initiative Group
The Science Initiative Group is an international team of scientific leaders and supporters dedicated to fostering science in developing countries. SIG was formed to facilitate the Millennium Science Initiative ....
.