Robert Devaney defined a chaotic system as one characterized by sensitive dependence on initial conditions, topological transitivity, and a dense set of periodic orbits. His 1989 textbook on the subject provided a framework that bypassed measure theory, making advanced dynamical systems accessible to a wider audience of students and researchers throughout the mathematics community.
Academic Formation
Born in Lawrence in 1948, Devaney pursued undergraduate studies at the College of the Holy Cross, graduating in 1969 with highest honors. He subsequently moved to the University of California, Berkeley, where he completed his doctoral work in 1973. His dissertation, titled Reversible diffeomorphisms and flows, was completed under the supervision of Fields medalist Stephen Smale.
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Devaney held positions at Northwestern University and Tufts University before joining the faculty at Boston University in 1980. He chaired the Department of Mathematics at Boston University from 1983 to 1986 and was appointed as a full professor in 1986. Throughout his tenure, he held various visiting appointments at institutions including the University of Maryland, Paris-Sud University, and the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics.
Mathematical Contributions
His research focused on celestial mechanics, complex dynamics, and chaos theory. He conducted systematic investigations into the dynamics of transcendental entire functions, identifying specific fractal structures within their Julia sets that became known as Devaney hairs. Beyond pure research, he engaged in public outreach and pedagogical innovation, notably co-directing projects to incorporate modern dynamical-systems theory into undergraduate ordinary differential equations curricula.
Recognition and Service
In 1995, Devaney received the Deborah and Franklin Haimo Awards for Distinguished College or University Teaching of Mathematics. He served as president of the Mathematical Association of America from 2013 to 2015 and was named an inaugural Fellow of the American Mathematical Society in 2013. In 2010, Boston University designated him the Feld Family Professor of Teaching Excellence. He retired as professor emeritus in 2018.
Fast facts
- Born: 1948, Lawrence
- Died: 2025, Charlestown
- Citizenship: United States
- Education: College of the Holy Cross, University of California, Berkeley
- Key Field: Dynamical systems
- Professional Recognition: Fellow of the American Mathematical Society (2013)
Questions readers ask
What are Devaney hairs?
They are fractal structures located within certain Julia sets that Devaney was the first to investigate.
Did Devaney work outside of traditional academic research?
Yes, he served as a chaos consultant for theatrical productions of Arcadia and a mathematical consultant for the 2007 film 21.
Achievements
- Held posts at Boston University, University of Maryland and Tufts University
- Fields: dynamical system, chaos theory and mathematics
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