The year 1970 marked the completion of John Stillwell’s doctoral studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he worked under the supervision of Hartley Rogers, Jr. This academic milestone launched a career that has spanned decades of teaching, authorship, and research in mathematics, eventually leading him from Melbourne to an international presence as an educator and historian of the discipline.
Academic Trajectory
Born in 1942 in Melbourne, Australia, John Stillwell pursued his early education in his home country before moving to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His dissertation research occurred under the guidance of Hartley Rogers, Jr., who was a student of Alonzo Church. Following the receipt of his PhD, Stillwell returned to Australia to join the faculty at Monash University. He maintained this position from 1970 until 2001, after which he transitioned to his current role at the University of San Francisco in 2002.
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Stillwell is the author of an extensive bibliography focused on mathematical theory and history. His publications include titles such as Classical Topology and Combinatorial Group Theory, published in 1980, and Mathematics and Its History, which saw a third edition in 2010. Other works reflect his interest in geometry and foundational logic, including The Four Pillars of Geometry from 2005, Roads to Infinity released in 2010, and The Story of Proof, which appeared in 2022. These volumes demonstrate a commitment to explaining complex concepts, including set theory and algebra, to broader audiences.
Professional Recognition
The Mathematical Association of America awarded Stillwell the Chauvenet Prize in 2005. This recognition was specifically for his article titled The Story of the 120-Cell, which was published in the Notices of the AMS in 2001. In 2012, his professional standing was further acknowledged when he was elected a fellow of the American Mathematical Society, an organization in which he maintains membership.
Fast facts
- Born: 1942, Melbourne
- Citizenship: Australia
- Doctoral Institution: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Doctoral Supervisor: Hartley Rogers, Jr.
- Academic Tenure: Monash University (1970-2001)
- Chauvenet Prize Recipient: 2005
- Fellow of the American Mathematical Society: 2013
Questions readers ask
Where did John Stillwell receive his PhD?
He earned his doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1970.
For which publication did Stillwell receive the Chauvenet Prize?
He received the award in 2005 for his 2001 article The Story of the 120-Cell.
Achievements
- Chauvenet Prize
- Held posts at University of San Francisco
