D. G. Champernowne
Encyclopedia
David Gawen Champernowne (9 July 1912 – 19 August 2000) was an English
economist
and mathematician
.
After academic work at Cambridge and the London School of Economics
, he worked at the London School of Economics
and Cambridge University. During World War II
, he first worked in the Prime Minister's Statistical department to supply quantitative information to help Winston Churchill
make decisions; then, in 1941, he moved on to become a programme director in the Ministry of Aircraft Production.
He was Professor
of Statistical Economics at the University of Oxford
(1948–1959), and professor of Economics and Statistics at the University of Cambridge
(1970–2000).
He published work on Champernowne constant
in 1933, while still an undergraduate at the University of Cambridge
. Working with an old college friend Alan Turing
in 1948, he helped develop one of the first chess-playing computer programs. The book for which he is most renowned, synthesising a life's work, Economic Inequality and Income Distribution (Cambridge University Press), was published in 1998.
His co-editors at the Economic Journal
found him to be "modest, quirky and humorous".
His grave is at the new Church at Dartington
, Devon
, built by his family in the 1870s to replace the ancient Church at Dartington Hall
, the family seat.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
economist
Economist
An economist is a professional in the social science discipline of economics. The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy...
and mathematician
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....
.
After academic work at Cambridge and the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
, he worked at the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
and Cambridge University. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he first worked in the Prime Minister's Statistical department to supply quantitative information to help Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
make decisions; then, in 1941, he moved on to become a programme director in the Ministry of Aircraft Production.
He was Professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of Statistical Economics at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
(1948–1959), and professor of Economics and Statistics at the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
(1970–2000).
He published work on Champernowne constant
Champernowne constant
In mathematics, the Champernowne constant C10 is a transcendental real constant whose decimal expansion has important properties. It is named after mathematician D. G...
in 1933, while still an undergraduate at the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
. Working with an old college friend Alan Turing
Alan Turing
Alan Mathison Turing, OBE, FRS , was an English mathematician, logician, cryptanalyst, and computer scientist. He was highly influential in the development of computer science, providing a formalisation of the concepts of "algorithm" and "computation" with the Turing machine, which played a...
in 1948, he helped develop one of the first chess-playing computer programs. The book for which he is most renowned, synthesising a life's work, Economic Inequality and Income Distribution (Cambridge University Press), was published in 1998.
His co-editors at the Economic Journal
Economic journal
The Economic Journal is one of the leading scholarly journals of economics. It is published on behalf of the Royal Economic Society by Wiley-Blackwell....
found him to be "modest, quirky and humorous".
His grave is at the new Church at Dartington
Dartington
Dartington is a village in Devon, England. Its population is 1,917. It is located west of the River Dart, south of Dartington Hall and about two miles from Totnes...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, built by his family in the 1870s to replace the ancient Church at Dartington Hall
Dartington Hall
The Dartington Hall Trust, near Totnes, Devon, United Kingdom is a charity specialising in the arts, social justice and sustainability.The Trust currently runs 16 charitable programmes, including The Dartington International Summer School and Schumacher Environmental College...
, the family seat.