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John G. Kemeny

May 05, 2023

John George Kemeny (born Kemény János György; May 31, 1926[1] – December 26, 1992) was a Hungarian-born American mathematician, computer scientist, and educator best known for co-developing[2] the BASIC programming language in 1964 with Thomas E. Kurtz. Kemeny served as the 13th President of Dartmouth College from 1970 to 1981 and pioneered the use of computers in college education. Kemeny chaired the presidential commission that investigated the Three Mile Island accident in 1979.[2] According to György Marx he was one of The Martians.[3]

John G. Kemeny
13th President of Dartmouth College
In office
1970–1981
Preceded byJohn Sloan Dickey
Succeeded byDavid T. McLaughlin
Personal details
Born(1926-05-31)May 31, 1926
Budapest, Hungary
DiedDecember 26, 1992(1992-12-26) (aged 66)
Hanover, New Hampshire, United States
EducationPrinceton University (A.B., Ph.D.)
AwardsComputer Pioneer Award (1985)

Early life

Born in Budapest, Hungary, into a Jewish family,[1] Kemeny attended the Rácz private primary school in Budapest and was a classmate of Nándor Balázs. In 1938 his father left for the United States alone. In 1940, he took the whole Kemeny family to the United States[1] when the adoption of the second anti-Jewish law in Hungary became imminent.[4] His grandfather, however, refused to leave and was murdered in the Holocaust, along with an aunt and uncle.[5] Kemeny's family settled in New York City where he attended George Washington High School. He graduated with the best results in his class three years later.[2] In 1943,[1] Kemeny entered Princeton University where he studied mathematics and philosophy, but he took a year off during his studies to work on the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos National Laboratory, where his boss was Richard Feynman. He also worked there with John von Neumann. Returning to Princeton, Kemeny graduated with an A.B. in mathematics in 1946 after completing a senior thesis, titled "Equivalent logical systems", under the supervision of Alonzo Church.[6] He then remained at Princeton to pursue graduate studies and received a Ph.D. in mathematics in 1949 after completing a doctoral dissertation, titled "Type-theory vs. set-theory", also under the supervision of Alonzo Church.[7][2] He worked as Albert Einstein's mathematical assistant during graduate school.[1]

Career

Kemeny was appointed to the Dartmouth Mathematics Department as a full professor in 1953, at the age of 27.[1] Two years later he became chairman of the department, and held this post until 1967. Kemeny ventured into curriculum development when he introduced Finite mathematics courses. He teamed with Gerald L. Thompson and J. Laurie Snell to write Introduction to Finite Mathematics (1957) for students of biology and social sciences. The Dartmouth mathematics department professors also wrote Finite Mathematical Structures (1959) and Finite Mathematics with Business Applications (1962). Other colleges and universities followed this lead and several more textbooks in Finite Mathematics were composed elsewhere. The topic of Markov chains was particularly popular so Kemeny teamed with J. Laurie Snell to publish Finite Markov Chains (1960) to provide an introductory college textbook. Considering the advances using potential theory obtained by G. A. Hunt, they wrote Denumerable Markov Chains in 1966.[8] This textbook, suitable for advanced seminars,[9] was followed by a second edition in 1976 when an additional chapter on random fields by David Griffeath was included.

Kemeny and Kurtz were pioneers in the use of computers for ordinary people. After early experiments with ALGOL 30 and DOPE on the LGP-30, they invented the BASIC programming language in 1964, as well as one of the world's first time-sharing systems, the Dartmouth Time-Sharing System (DTSS). In 1974, the American Federation of Information Processing Societies gave an award to Kemeny and Kurtz at the National Computer Conference for their work on BASIC and time-sharing.[10] BASIC was the language used in most software written during the rise of the Apple II, the Commodore, the TRS-80, and the IBM PCs throughout the 80s.

Kemeny was president of Dartmouth from 1970 to 1981, and continued to teach undergraduate courses and to do research and publish papers during his time as president. He presided over the coeducation of Dartmouth in 1972. He also instituted the "Dartmouth Plan" of year-round operations, thereby allowing more students without more buildings. During his administration, Dartmouth became more proactive in recruiting and retaining minority students[2] and revived its founding commitment to provide education for American Indians. Kemeny made Dartmouth a pioneer in student use of computers, equating computer literacy with reading literacy. In 1982 he returned to teaching full-time.

In 1983, Kemeny and Kurtz co-founded a company called True BASIC, Inc. to market True BASIC, an updated version of the language.

Death

 
Commemorative plaque to John George Kemeny. It is affixed to the wall of his former domicile.

John Kemeny died at the age of 66, the result of heart failure in Lebanon, New Hampshire[2] on December 26, 1992.[4] He had lived in Etna, near the Dartmouth Campus.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Weibel, Peter (2005). Beyond Art - A Third Culture : a Comparative Study in Cultures, Art, and Science in 20th Century Austria and Hungary. Springer. p. 350. ISBN 3-211-24562-6.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Faison, Seth (1992-12-27). "John Kemeny, 66, Computer Pioneer and Educator (obituary)". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-02-02.
  3. ^ A marslakók legendája - György Marx
  4. ^ a b Ohles, Frederik; Shirley M. Ohles; John G. Ramsay (1997). Biographical Dictionary of Modern American Educators. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 189. ISBN 0-313-29133-0.
  5. ^ "True Basic. A sketch of John Kemeny" (PDF). Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. 2001-12-13. Retrieved 2012-07-23.
  6. ^ Kemeny, John G. (1946). Equivalent logical systems. Princeton, NJ: Department of Mathematics.
  7. ^ Kemeny, John George (1949). Type-theory vs. set-theory.
  8. ^ J. L. Doob (1966) Review: Denumerable Markov Chains, MR0207042
  9. ^ Preface, page vi
  10. ^ "TRANSCRIPTS OF 1974 National Computer Conference Pioneer Day Session". Dartmouth Time Sharing System. Dartmouth College. 1974.

External links

May 05, 2023
john, kemeny, john, george, kemeny, born, kemény, jános, györgy, 1926, december, 1992, hungarian, born, american, mathematician, computer, scientist, educator, best, known, developing, basic, programming, language, 1964, with, thomas, kurtz, kemeny, served, 13. John George Kemeny born Kemeny Janos Gyorgy May 31 1926 1 December 26 1992 was a Hungarian born American mathematician computer scientist and educator best known for co developing 2 the BASIC programming language in 1964 with Thomas E Kurtz Kemeny served as the 13th President of Dartmouth College from 1970 to 1981 and pioneered the use of computers in college education Kemeny chaired the presidential commission that investigated the Three Mile Island accident in 1979 2 According to Gyorgy Marx he was one of The Martians 3 John G Kemeny13th President of Dartmouth CollegeIn office 1970 1981Preceded byJohn Sloan DickeySucceeded byDavid T McLaughlinPersonal detailsBorn 1926 05 31 May 31 1926Budapest HungaryDiedDecember 26 1992 1992 12 26 aged 66 Hanover New Hampshire United StatesEducationPrinceton University A B Ph D AwardsComputer Pioneer Award 1985 Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Death 4 See also 5 References 6 External linksEarly life EditBorn in Budapest Hungary into a Jewish family 1 Kemeny attended the Racz private primary school in Budapest and was a classmate of Nandor Balazs In 1938 his father left for the United States alone In 1940 he took the whole Kemeny family to the United States 1 when the adoption of the second anti Jewish law in Hungary became imminent 4 His grandfather however refused to leave and was murdered in the Holocaust along with an aunt and uncle 5 Kemeny s family settled in New York City where he attended George Washington High School He graduated with the best results in his class three years later 2 In 1943 1 Kemeny entered Princeton University where he studied mathematics and philosophy but he took a year off during his studies to work on the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos National Laboratory where his boss was Richard Feynman He also worked there with John von Neumann Returning to Princeton Kemeny graduated with an A B in mathematics in 1946 after completing a senior thesis titled Equivalent logical systems under the supervision of Alonzo Church 6 He then remained at Princeton to pursue graduate studies and received a Ph D in mathematics in 1949 after completing a doctoral dissertation titled Type theory vs set theory also under the supervision of Alonzo Church 7 2 He worked as Albert Einstein s mathematical assistant during graduate school 1 Career EditKemeny was appointed to the Dartmouth Mathematics Department as a full professor in 1953 at the age of 27 1 Two years later he became chairman of the department and held this post until 1967 Kemeny ventured into curriculum development when he introduced Finite mathematics courses He teamed with Gerald L Thompson and J Laurie Snell to write Introduction to Finite Mathematics 1957 for students of biology and social sciences The Dartmouth mathematics department professors also wrote Finite Mathematical Structures 1959 and Finite Mathematics with Business Applications 1962 Other colleges and universities followed this lead and several more textbooks in Finite Mathematics were composed elsewhere The topic of Markov chains was particularly popular so Kemeny teamed with J Laurie Snell to publish Finite Markov Chains 1960 to provide an introductory college textbook Considering the advances using potential theory obtained by G A Hunt they wrote Denumerable Markov Chains in 1966 8 This textbook suitable for advanced seminars 9 was followed by a second edition in 1976 when an additional chapter on random fields by David Griffeath was included Kemeny and Kurtz were pioneers in the use of computers for ordinary people After early experiments with ALGOL 30 and DOPE on the LGP 30 they invented the BASIC programming language in 1964 as well as one of the world s first time sharing systems the Dartmouth Time Sharing System DTSS In 1974 the American Federation of Information Processing Societies gave an award to Kemeny and Kurtz at the National Computer Conference for their work on BASIC and time sharing 10 BASIC was the language used in most software written during the rise of the Apple II the Commodore the TRS 80 and the IBM PCs throughout the 80s Kemeny was president of Dartmouth from 1970 to 1981 and continued to teach undergraduate courses and to do research and publish papers during his time as president He presided over the coeducation of Dartmouth in 1972 He also instituted the Dartmouth Plan of year round operations thereby allowing more students without more buildings During his administration Dartmouth became more proactive in recruiting and retaining minority students 2 and revived its founding commitment to provide education for American Indians Kemeny made Dartmouth a pioneer in student use of computers equating computer literacy with reading literacy In 1982 he returned to teaching full time In 1983 Kemeny and Kurtz co founded a company called True BASIC Inc to market True BASIC an updated version of the language Death Edit Commemorative plaque to John George Kemeny It is affixed to the wall of his former domicile John Kemeny died at the age of 66 the result of heart failure in Lebanon New Hampshire 2 on December 26 1992 4 He had lived in Etna near the Dartmouth Campus See also EditKemeny Young method Kemeny s constant an invariant sum arising in the study of finite Markov chains The Martians scientists New Hampshire Historical Marker No 261 BASIC The First User Friendly Computer Programming LanguageReferences Edit a b c d e f Weibel Peter 2005 Beyond Art A Third Culture a Comparative Study in Cultures Art and Science in 20th Century Austria and Hungary Springer p 350 ISBN 3 211 24562 6 a b c d e f Faison Seth 1992 12 27 John Kemeny 66 Computer Pioneer and Educator obituary The New York Times Retrieved 2008 02 02 A marslakok legendaja Gyorgy Marx a b Ohles Frederik Shirley M Ohles John G Ramsay 1997 Biographical Dictionary of Modern American Educators Greenwood Publishing Group pp 189 ISBN 0 313 29133 0 True Basic A sketch of John Kemeny PDF Dartmouth Alumni Magazine 2001 12 13 Retrieved 2012 07 23 Kemeny John G 1946 Equivalent logical systems Princeton NJ Department of Mathematics Kemeny John George 1949 Type theory vs set theory J L Doob 1966 Review Denumerable Markov Chains MR0207042 Preface page vi TRANSCRIPTS OF 1974 National Computer Conference Pioneer Day Session Dartmouth Time Sharing System Dartmouth College 1974 External links EditThe Papers of John G Kemeny in the Dartmouth College Library Posted in the article with permission from Dartmouth College Dartmouth Wheelock Succession Bio at Bellevue C C site A sketch of John Kemeny for the Dartmouth Alumni Magazine O Connor John J Robertson Edmund F John G Kemeny MacTutor History of Mathematics archive University of St Andrews Birth of BASIC documentary John G Kemeny at the Mathematics Genealogy Project Interview with Kemeny about his experience at Princeton True Basic Inc information John G Kemeny Find a Grave Retrieved 2021 03 08 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John G Kemeny amp oldid 1146778606, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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