The 2016 Euler Medal was awarded to James William Peter Hirschfeld, recognizing his extensive contributions to the study of combinatorial geometry. Born in 1940, the Australian mathematician established a professional career centered on the geometry of finite fields, eventually settling in the United Kingdom where he served as an emeritus professor and Tutorial Fellow at the University of Sussex.
Academic Foundations and Research
Hirschfeld earned his doctorate in 1966 from the University of Edinburgh. His thesis, titled The geometry of cubic surfaces, and Grace's extension of the double-six, over finite fields, was completed under the supervision of William Leonard Edge. Following his degree, he expanded his research into finite geometry through post-doctoral studies at the University of Perugia and the University of Rome, funded by the Royal Society and the Accademia nazionale dei Lincei. During this period, he edited Beniamino Segre's monograph, Introduction to Galois Geometries, published in 1967.
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Beginning in 1979, Hirschfeld authored a three-part series on Galois geometry intended for readers with backgrounds in group theory, linear algebra, and basic projective geometry. The first volume covered PG(1,q) and PG(2,q), while subsequent books addressed PG(3,q) and PG(n,q). By 1991, his work bridged connections between finite geometry and practical applications like coding theory and algebraic geometry codes, a field supported by computer science. These texts maintained sequential chapter numbering across the series.
Collaborations and Professional Legacy
Hirschfeld expanded his reach through various scholarly collaborations and editorial roles. He served as the editor for the 1986 text Design Theory and partnered with Joseph A. Thas to publish General Galois Geometries on PG(n,q) in 1991. Later, in 2008, he co-authored Algebraic Curves over a Finite Field with Gábor Korchmáros and Fernando Torres. His career at the University of Sussex remains the primary venue of his academic tenure.
Fast facts
- Born: 1940
- Nationality: Australia
- Education: University of Edinburgh
- Employer: University of Sussex
- Specialization: Combinatorial geometry
- Award: 2016 Euler Medal
Questions readers ask
What is the focus of Hirschfeld's mathematical research?
He specializes in combinatorial geometry and the geometry of finite fields, specifically Galois geometry.
Which institution provided his doctorate?
He received his PhD from the University of Edinburgh in 1966.
Achievements
- Euler Medal — 2016
- Held posts at University of Sussex
