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Benedict Gross

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Benedict Gross
Born (1950-06-22) June 22, 1950 (age 74)
NationalityAmerican
Alma materHarvard University
Oxford University
Known forGross–Zagier theorem
AwardsCole Prize (1987)
Scientific career
FieldsMathematics
InstitutionsHarvard University
Doctoral advisorJohn Tate
Doctoral studentsKeith Conrad
Henri Darmon
Noam Elkies
Dipendra Prasad

Benedict Hyman Gross (born June 22, 1950) is an American mathematician, the George Vasmer Leverett Professor of Mathematics at Harvard University and former Dean of Harvard College.[1]

He is known for his work in number theory, particularly the Gross–Zagier theorem on L-functions of elliptic curves, which he researched with Don Zagier.

Professional career

In 1971 he graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard University. He then received an M.Sc. from Oxford University as a Marshall Scholar in 1974 before returning to Harvard and completing his Ph.D. in 1978, under John Tate.[1][2]

After holding faculty positions at Princeton University and Brown University, Gross became a tenured professor at Harvard in 1985[1] and has remained there ever since, as Dean of Harvard College from 2003 to 2007.[3] He was elected as a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1992[4] and as a member of the National Academy of Sciences in 2004.[5]

One of his past Ph.D. students was Noam Elkies.[2]

Benedict Gross was the mathematical consultant[6] for the 1980 film It's My Turn containing the famous scene[7] in which Jill Clayburgh impeccably proves the snake lemma.

Awards and honors

Gross, Zagier, and Dorian M. Goldfeld won the Cole Prize of the American Mathematical Society in 1987 for their work on the Gross–Zagier theorem.[8] In 2012 he became a fellow of the American Mathematical Society.[9]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Curriculum vitae from Gross' web site at Harvard, retrieved 2010-04-21.
  2. ^ a b Benedict Gross at the Mathematics Genealogy Project
  3. ^ Gross Officially Named Dean of the College, Harvard Crimson, April 8, 2003; Gross Stretches to Prepare for New Roles, Harvard Crimson, May 16, 2003; With Goals Accomplished, Gross Leaves Overhauled College: His efforts were to 'improve the undergraduate experience,' dean says, Harvard Crimson, June 29, 2007; Exit Gross, Harvard Crimson, September 21, 2007.
  4. ^ List of Active Members by Classes, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, retrieved 2010-04-21.
  5. ^ National Academies news: 72 new members chosen by academy, The National Academies, April 2004, retrieved 2010-04-21.
  6. ^ "Benedict Gross - Miscellaneous Crew". IMDb.com.
  7. ^ "It's My Turn (1980) Snake Lemma".
  8. ^ Frank Nelson Cole Prize in Number Theory, AMS, retrieved 2010-04-21.
  9. ^ List of Fellows of the American Mathematical Society, retrieved 2013-01-19.