The monograph Convex Polytopes, published in 1967 by Branko Grünbaum, established itself as a foundational text for the study of geometry and discrete mathematics. Throughout his career, he authored over 200 papers and remained a persistent presence in academia, ultimately spending decades as a professor at the University of Washington before his death in 2018.
Early Education and Emigration
Born in Osijek in 1929, Branko Grünbaum pursued early university studies at the University of Zagreb from 1948 to 1949. He subsequently moved to Israel, where he attended the Hebrew University of Jerusalem between 1950 and 1957. During this period, he completed his master's degree in 1954 and earned his Ph.D. in 1957, with a dissertation focused on convex geometry supervised by Aryeh Dvoretzky. He served in the Israel Defense Forces from 1955 to 1958, working as an operations researcher.
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Grünbaum's research career led him to the Institute for Advanced Study in 1958, where he remained until 1960. Following a visiting research role at the University of Washington in 1960, he held a position at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem from 1961 to 1965. After a term at Michigan State University in 1965 and 1966, he accepted a full professorship at the University of Washington in 1966. He maintained this role until his retirement in 2001.
Contributions to Geometry
His scholarly output centered on discrete geometry, combinatorics, and convex sets. Notable contributions include the Grünbaum–Rigby configuration and his extensive work on the theory of abstract polyhedra. Along with G. C. Shephard, he authored the volume Tilings and Patterns, which increased interest in the field. He also served as a regular contributor and editor for the journal Geombinatorics, influencing subsequent research into arrangements of lines and hyperplane configurations.
Professional Recognition
His work in mathematical exposition received significant formal acknowledgment. He was awarded the Paul R. Halmos - Lester R. Ford Award in 1976 and the Steele Prize for Mathematical Exposition in 2005. His professional standing included memberships in the American Mathematical Society and the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, alongside fellowships from the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Mathematical Society.
Fast facts
- Born: 1929, Osijek
- Died: 2018, Seattle
- Citizenship: Israel
- Education: Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1950-1957)
- Professional role: University teacher
- Key publication: Convex Polytopes
- Steele Prize for Mathematical Exposition: 2005
- Fellow of the American Mathematical Society: 2013
Questions readers ask
What subjects did Branko Grünbaum research?
He specialized in mathematics, specifically geometry, combinatorics, discrete mathematics, and convex sets.
Where did Branko Grünbaum hold university positions?
He was employed by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the University of Washington, the Institute for Advanced Study, and Michigan State University.
Achievements
- Notable work: Grünbaum–Rigby configuration
- Notable work: Convex Polytopes
- Affiliated with University of Washington, Israel Defense Forces and Institute for Advanced Study
- Educated at Hebrew University of Jerusalem and University of Zagreb
- Worked as mathematician and university teacher
