Murray H. Protter
Encyclopedia
Murray Harold Protter was an American mathematician and educator, known for his contributions to the theory of partial differential equations, as well as his well-selling textbooks in Calculus
.
Protter earned a M.Sc.
in mathematics
at University of Michigan
(1937) and a Ph.D.
at Brown University
on a thesis entitled "Generalized Spherical Harmonics" advised by Lipman Bers
(1946). During the World War II
era, he studied the aeroelasticity
and flutter of military air planes at the Vought
aircraft company in Stratford, Connecticut
(1943–45). Since his graduation, he worked as assistant professor at Syracuse University
(1947–51), was a researcher at Institute for Advanced Study
in Princeton
(1951–53) and at University of California at Berkeley (1953–88) where he also was the chairman (1962–65). He also was the
Miller Research Professor (1959, 1967) and executive director of the Miller Institute
for Basic Research in Science (1981–83).
He was the father of operations researcher Philip Protter.
Protter developed self-paced learning of mathematics. For American Mathematical Society
he was a long-time member (1941–) serving as
treasurer
(1968–72) and editor
of the book review column.
Calculus
Calculus is a branch of mathematics focused on limits, functions, derivatives, integrals, and infinite series. This subject constitutes a major part of modern mathematics education. It has two major branches, differential calculus and integral calculus, which are related by the fundamental theorem...
.
Protter earned a M.Sc.
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
in mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
at University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
(1937) and a Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
at Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
on a thesis entitled "Generalized Spherical Harmonics" advised by Lipman Bers
Lipman Bers
Lipman Bers was an American mathematician born in Riga who created the theory of pseudoanalytic functions and worked on Riemann surfaces and Kleinian groups.-Biography:...
(1946). During the 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...
era, he studied the aeroelasticity
Aeroelasticity
Aeroelasticity is the science which studies the interactions among inertial, elastic, and aerodynamic forces. It was defined by Arthur Collar in 1947 as "the study of the mutual interaction that takes place within the triangle of the inertial, elastic, and aerodynamic forces acting on structural...
and flutter of military air planes at the Vought
Vought
Vought is the name of several related aerospace firms. These have included, in the past, Lewis and Vought Corporation, Chance Vought, Vought Sikorsky, LTV Aerospace , Vought Aircraft Companies, and the current Vought Aircraft Industries. The first incarnation of Vought was established by Chance M...
aircraft company in Stratford, Connecticut
Stratford, Connecticut
Stratford is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, located on Long Island Sound at the mouth of the Housatonic River. It was founded by Puritans in 1639....
(1943–45). Since his graduation, he worked as assistant professor at Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
(1947–51), was a researcher at 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...
in Princeton
Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton is a community located in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. It is best known as the location of Princeton University, which has been sited in the community since 1756...
(1951–53) and at University of California at Berkeley (1953–88) where he also was the chairman (1962–65). He also was the
Miller Research Professor (1959, 1967) and executive director of the Miller Institute
Miller Institute
The Miller Institute for Basic Research in Science was established on the University of California, Berkeley campus in 1955 after Adolph C. Miller and his wife, Mary Sprague Miller made a donation to the University...
for Basic Research in Science (1981–83).
He was the father of operations researcher Philip Protter.
Protter developed self-paced learning of mathematics. For American Mathematical Society
American Mathematical Society
The American Mathematical Society is an association of professional mathematicians dedicated to the interests of mathematical research and scholarship, which it does with various publications and conferences as well as annual monetary awards and prizes to mathematicians.The society is one of the...
he was a long-time member (1941–) serving as
treasurer
Treasurer
A treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The adjective for a treasurer is normally "tresorial". The adjective "treasurial" normally means pertaining to a treasury, rather than the treasurer.-Government:...
(1968–72) and editor
Editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, visual, audible, and film media used to convey information through the processes of correction, condensation, organization, and other modifications performed with an intention of producing a correct, consistent, accurate, and complete...
of the book review column.
Books
- Calculus with Analytic Geometry: A first Course (1964). With Charles B. Morrey, Jr.Charles B. Morrey, Jr.Charles Bradfield Morrey Jr. was an American mathematician who made fundamental contributions to the calculus of variations and the theory of partial differential equations.- Life :Charles Bradfield Morrey Jr...
- Intermediate Calculus (1971, 1985). With Charles B. Morrey, Jr.
- A First Course in Real Analysis (1976, 1997). With Charles B. Morrey, Jr.
- Basic Elements of Real Analysis (1998).
- Maximum Principles in Differential Equations (1967, 1999). With Hans WeinbergerHans WeinbergerHans F. Weinberger is an Austrian-American mathematician, known for his contributionsto partial differential equations and fluid dynamics....