The 1966 publication An Introduction to Approximation Theory established a scholarly benchmark for numerical analysis, remaining a standard text decades later. Elliott Ward Cheney, Jr. spent his career advancing these fields, bridging abstract mathematical theory with practical aerospace applications during the rise of the United States space program in the middle of the twentieth century.
Early Education and Academic Foundations
Born in Gettysburg in 1929, Cheney attended Liberty High School from 1944 to 1947 before enrolling at Lehigh University. He completed his undergraduate studies there between 1947 and 1952. His doctoral work occurred at the University of Kansas, where he served as an instructor from 1954 to 1956 and earned his Ph.D. in 1957. These formative years established his trajectory in rigorous quantitative research.
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Following the 1957 launch of Sputnik 1, Cheney transitioned into applied industry roles. He worked as a research scientist at Convair from 1956 to 1959, contributing to calculations for the Atlas rocket. His professional path included stints at Iowa State University from 1961 to 1962 and the University of California, Los Angeles, where he taught from 1962 to 1965. During this period, he directed the NSF Summer Institute in Numerical Analysis.
Long-term Academic Tenure at Texas
In 1965, Cheney joined the faculty of the University of Texas at Austin, where he remained for 41 years until his retirement in 2005. His academic output was prolific, encompassing over 100 published papers and two dozen textbooks. He served on the editorial board of the Journal of Approximation Theory for nearly five decades, starting in 1968. He was recognized for his contributions in 2013 as a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society.
Fast facts
- Born: 1929, Gettysburg
- Died: 2016, Austin
- Undergraduate: Lehigh University, 1947-1952
- Doctorate: University of Kansas, 1957
- Principal fields: Approximation theory, numerical analysis
- Notable employer: University of Texas at Austin, 1965-2005
- Recognition: Fellow of the American Mathematical Society, 2013
- Burial location: New York City Marble Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What were the primary research interests of Ward Cheney?
He focused on approximation theory and numerical analysis, fields essential to both theoretical mathematics and the practical computational needs of aerospace engineering.
Did Cheney maintain professional activity late in his career?
Yes, he remained on the editorial board of the Journal of Approximation Theory until at least 2015, following his retirement from teaching in 2005.
Achievements
- Held posts at University of Texas at Austin, University of Kansas and Convair
- Fields: approximation theory and numerical analysis
