The William Lowell Putnam Mathematical Competitions recognized Joseph Lipman as a Putnam Fellow during both the spring and fall sessions of 1958. A Canadian mathematician born in Toronto in 1938, Lipman has focused his academic career on algebraic geometry and the study of singularity theory, contributing extensively to the foundational literature of the field through both research and teaching.
Academic Background
Lipman completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto, graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1960. In 1965, he obtained his Ph.D. from the same institution under the supervision of Oscar Zariski, a key figure in the development of modern algebraic geometry.
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Following the completion of his doctoral studies, Lipman began his teaching career as an assistant professor at Queen's University in Kingston in 1965. By 1966, he moved to Purdue University, where he remained for the duration of his primary academic tenure. He ascended to the rank of professor in 1971 and served as the head of the mathematics department from 1987 to 1992. Throughout his career, he held visiting positions at institutions including Columbia University, Harvard University, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Nice.
Research and Publications
Lipman specialized in singularity theory, exploring the properties of algebraic varieties. His significant body of work includes the 1978 paper Desingularization of Two-Dimensional Schemes, published in the Annals of Mathematics. He also contributed to the pedagogical literature, notably editing the 2000 volume Resolution of singularities: A research textbook in tribute to Oscar Zariski, alongside Herwig Hauser, Frans Oort, and Adolfo Quirós. His Collected Papers were compiled and published by Queen's University Press in 2000.
Professional Recognition
The Canadian Mathematical Society awarded Lipman the Jeffery–Williams Prize in 1982. He has maintained active membership in the American Mathematical Society, which recognized his contributions to the field by naming him a Fellow in 2013. His work continues to be documented through academic indices.
Fast facts
- Born: 1938, Toronto, Canada
- Education: University of Toronto, Harvard University
- Ph.D. Supervisor: Oscar Zariski
- Primary Employment: Purdue University
- Field: Algebraic Geometry
- Awards: Jeffery–Williams Prize (1982)
- Fellowship: American Mathematical Society (2013)
Questions readers ask
What is Joseph Lipman's primary area of mathematical research?
He specializes in algebraic geometry, with a particular focus on singularity theory.
Where did Joseph Lipman spend the majority of his academic career?
He held a faculty position at Purdue University starting in 1966, where he also served as the head of the mathematics department.
Achievements
- Jeffery–Williams Prize — 1982
- Held posts at Purdue University
- Fields: mathematics
