MATLAB, the ubiquitous numerical computing environment, originated from a practical necessity to provide students at the University of New Mexico with direct access to LINPACK and EISPACK libraries. By eliminating the requirement for pupils to write complex Fortran code, Cleve Moler transformed how technical professionals approach numerical analysis and software development throughout his decades-long career.
Academic Background
Born in Salt Lake City in 1939, Cleve Barry Moler developed a foundation in mathematics that propelled him through prestigious institutions. He completed his undergraduate studies at the California Institute of Technology in 1961. Subsequently, he moved to Stanford University to pursue graduate research, earning his Ph.D. in mathematics in 1965. This academic path established the technical rigor he would later apply to large-scale computing systems.
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Before his shift toward private industry, Moler spent nearly twenty years teaching mathematics and computer science at the University of Michigan, Stanford, and the University of New Mexico. During the 1970s, he contributed to the creation of EISPACK and LINPACK, critical Fortran libraries for numerical computation. He later co-founded MathWorks in 1984 alongside Jack Little to commercialize the MATLAB software package. Before joining MathWorks in a full-time capacity in 1989, he held positions at Intel Hypercube—where he introduced the term 'embarrassingly parallel'—and Ardent Computer Corporation.
Professional Recognition
Moler’s contributions to software and numerical analysis garnered significant international acclaim. He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1997. His accolades include the 2011 Sidney Fernbach Award, the 2012 IEEE Computer Pioneer Award, and the 2014 IEEE John von Neumann Medal. Additionally, he was a Fellow of the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, serving as its president from 2007 to 2008. Academic institutions including the University of Waterloo, the Technical University of Denmark, and Linköping University awarded him honorary doctorates for his work.
Final Years
Beyond his programming achievements, Moler was the author of four textbooks focused on numerical methods, including the 1977 text Computer methods for mathematical computations. He remained active in the mathematical community until the end of his life. Cleve Moler died on May 20, 2026, at his residence in Saint Michaels, Maryland, at the age of 86 due to complications from Parkinson’s disease.
Fast facts
- Born: 1939, Salt Lake City
- Died: 2026, Saint Michaels
- Citizenship: United States
- Alma Mater: California Institute of Technology; Stanford University
- Notable Work: MATLAB
- Award: IEEE John von Neumann Medal (2014)
- Professional Membership: National Academy of Engineering
Questions readers ask
What motivated the creation of MATLAB?
Moler designed MATLAB to provide his students at the University of New Mexico with easier access to numerical libraries without needing to write Fortran.
What term did Moler coin while at Intel Hypercube?
He coined the term 'embarrassingly parallel' during his time at the company.
Achievements
- IEEE John von Neumann Medal — 2014
- Notable work: MATLAB
- Held posts at University of New Mexico, University of Michigan and Stanford University
- Fields: mathematics, computer program and numerical analysis
