James J. Stoker
Encyclopedia
James Johnston Stoker was an American
applied mathematician and engineer
. He was director of the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences
and is considered one of the founders of the institute, Courant
and Friedrichs
being the others. Stoker is known for his work in differential geometry and theory of water waves. He is also the author of the now classic book, Water Waves: The Mathematical Theory with Applications.
, Stoker started his career as a mining engineer. In the 1930s, he went to Zürich
to pursue a doctorate in mechanics at the Federal Institute of Technology
in Zürich
. One of the first courses he took there was by Heinz Hopf
on geometry. Stoker was so impressed by the subject, and the teacher, that he switched his doctoral programme to differential geometry He received his Ph.D. degree under the supervision of Hopf and George Pólya
. Hopf later recommended Stoker to Richard Courant
. In 1937 Stoker, along with Courant's former student Kurt O. Friedrichs
, joined Courant in the Department of Mathematics at the New York University
. With Stoker's engineering background and Friedrichs' mastery in mathematics, the two were effectively collaborated on many applied problems such as plate theory.
On Courant’s retirement in 1958 Stoker succeeded him as director and served until 1966. It was during Stoker’s period as director, the Institute acquired greater autonomy within the University framework. It became the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences
and in 1965. Friedrichs succeeded Stoker as director in 1966.
in recognition of distinguished contributions to the field of applied mechanics.
Stoker's book on "Water Waves" is a significant work which summarises the state of knowledge in water wave theory in 1957. The focus is on linear wave theory.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
applied mathematician and engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
. He was director of the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences
Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences
The Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences is an independent division of New York University under the Faculty of Arts & Science that serves as a center for research and advanced training in computer science and mathematics...
and is considered one of the founders of the institute, Courant
Richard Courant
Richard Courant was a German American mathematician.- Life :Courant was born in Lublinitz in the German Empire's Prussian Province of Silesia. During his youth, his parents had to move quite often, to Glatz, Breslau, and in 1905 to Berlin. He stayed in Breslau and entered the university there...
and Friedrichs
Kurt O. Friedrichs
Kurt Otto Friedrichs was a noted German American mathematician. He was the co-founder of the Courant Institute at New York University and recipient of the National Medal of Science.-Biography:...
being the others. Stoker is known for his work in differential geometry and theory of water waves. He is also the author of the now classic book, Water Waves: The Mathematical Theory with Applications.
Career
Hailing from Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, Stoker started his career as a mining engineer. In the 1930s, he went to Zürich
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
to pursue a doctorate in mechanics at the Federal Institute of Technology
ETH Zurich
The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich or ETH Zürich is an engineering, science, technology, mathematics and management university in the City of Zurich, Switzerland....
in Zürich
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
. One of the first courses he took there was by Heinz Hopf
Heinz Hopf
Heinz Hopf was a German mathematician born in Gräbschen, Germany . He attended Dr. Karl Mittelhaus' higher boys' school from 1901 to 1904, and then entered the König-Wilhelm- Gymnasium in Breslau. He showed mathematical talent from an early age...
on geometry. Stoker was so impressed by the subject, and the teacher, that he switched his doctoral programme to differential geometry He received his Ph.D. degree under the supervision of Hopf and George Pólya
George Pólya
George Pólya was a Hungarian mathematician. He was a professor of mathematics from 1914 to 1940 at ETH Zürich and from 1940 to 1953 at Stanford University. He made fundamental contributions to combinatorics, number theory, numerical analysis and probability theory...
. Hopf later recommended Stoker to Richard Courant
Richard Courant
Richard Courant was a German American mathematician.- Life :Courant was born in Lublinitz in the German Empire's Prussian Province of Silesia. During his youth, his parents had to move quite often, to Glatz, Breslau, and in 1905 to Berlin. He stayed in Breslau and entered the university there...
. In 1937 Stoker, along with Courant's former student Kurt O. Friedrichs
Kurt O. Friedrichs
Kurt Otto Friedrichs was a noted German American mathematician. He was the co-founder of the Courant Institute at New York University and recipient of the National Medal of Science.-Biography:...
, joined Courant in the Department of Mathematics at the New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
. With Stoker's engineering background and Friedrichs' mastery in mathematics, the two were effectively collaborated on many applied problems such as plate theory.
On Courant’s retirement in 1958 Stoker succeeded him as director and served until 1966. It was during Stoker’s period as director, the Institute acquired greater autonomy within the University framework. It became the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences
Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences
The Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences is an independent division of New York University under the Faculty of Arts & Science that serves as a center for research and advanced training in computer science and mathematics...
and in 1965. Friedrichs succeeded Stoker as director in 1966.
Honors and awards
In 1970, Stoker received the Timoshenko MedalTimoshenko Medal
The Timoshenko Medal is an award given annually by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers to an individual"in recognition of distinguished contributions to the field of applied mechanics."...
in recognition of distinguished contributions to the field of applied mechanics.
Books
- Differential Geometry, Wiley-Interscience (1989). ISBN 0471504033
- Water Waves: The Mathematical Theory with Applications, Wiley-Interscience (1957).
Stoker's book on "Water Waves" is a significant work which summarises the state of knowledge in water wave theory in 1957. The focus is on linear wave theory.