John David Crawford

Summary

John David Crawford (1954–1998[1]) was a physicist and professor at the University of Pittsburgh.[1] He obtained his undergraduate degree with honors from Princeton University in 1977 and his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1983.[1]

John David Crawford
Born1954 (1954)
DiedAugust 23, 1998(1998-08-23) (aged 43–44)
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
Occupation(s)Physicist, professor
Years active1977–1998?
EmployerUniversity of Pittsburgh
Known forResearch in theoretical physics

An internationally recognized researcher in theoretical physics, he specialized in plasma physics and nonlinear dynamics.[2] His broad physical insight and deep knowledge of mathematics enabled him to make profound contributions to dynamical systems.[2] He published more than 80 research papers and wrote a landmark review on bifurcation theory.[3] Additionally, he was also a codirector of the "Research Experiences for Undergraduates" program, which exposed undergraduates to scientific study, in 1997.[1]

Apart from his research, he was a passionate mountain climber. He died on August 23, 1998, at the Montefiore Hospital in Pittsburgh of Burkitt's lymphoma, a form of lymph cancer.[1]

In 2001, SIAM's Activity Group in Dynamical Systems established the J.D. Crawford Prize, which is now the world's top award in dynamical systems.[4]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e "John David Crawford '77". Princeton Alumni Weekly. June 9, 1999. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  2. ^ a b Knobloch, Edgar (October 1998). "1954–1998". Dynamical Systems Magazine. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 8 July 2021.
  3. ^ Crawford, John David (1 October 1991). "Introduction to bifurcation theory" (PDF). Reviews of Modern Physics. 63 (4). American Physical Society: 991–1037. Bibcode:1991RvMP...63..991C. doi:10.1103/revmodphys.63.991. hdl:2152/61063.
  4. ^ "J.D. Crawford Prize (SIAG/Dynamical Systems)". SIAM. Retrieved 20 May 2015.