David Gilbarg contributed foundational research in partial differential equations and fluid dynamics throughout a career spanning more than six decades. Based in the United States, he bridged the gap between theoretical mathematical analysis and practical applications, training a generation of scholars who continued his work in the field of elliptic partial differential equations after his death in 2001.
Academic Foundation
Born in Boston in 1918, Gilbarg pursued his early education at the City College of New York before moving to Indiana University Bloomington. He completed his doctoral studies there in 1941, producing a dissertation titled On the Structure of the group of p-adic l-units. This research was supervised by Emil Artin, establishing Gilbarg's entry into high-level mathematical analysis.
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Following his doctoral work, Gilbarg took a position at the Naval Ordnance Laboratory, where he remained from 1942 until 1945. He transitioned back to academia by joining the faculty at Indiana University Bloomington. In 1957, he moved to Stanford University, where he remained as a faculty member until his retirement in 1989. During his tenure at Stanford, he achieved the status of professor emeritus.
Mathematical Contributions
Gilbarg focused his expertise on partial differential equations and fluid dynamics. His most notable publication, Elliptic Partial Differential Equations of Second Order, was co-authored with his student Neil Trudinger. This text became a standard reference within the discipline. Beyond Trudinger, Gilbarg mentored doctoral students who achieved recognition in the field, including Jerald Ericksen and James Serrin.
Fast facts
- Born: 1918, Boston
- Died: 2001, Palo Alto
- Field: Analysis
- Doctoral Supervisor: Emil Artin
- Key Publication: Elliptic Partial Differential Equations of Second Order
- Stanford University Tenure: 1957-1989
Questions readers ask
What subjects did David Gilbarg research?
He focused on fluid dynamics and partial differential equations.
Which universities employed Gilbarg?
He held positions at Indiana University Bloomington, the Naval Ordnance Laboratory, and Stanford University.
Achievements
- Held posts at Stanford University, Naval Ordnance Laboratory and Indiana University Bloomington
- Fields: partial differential equation and fluid dynamics
