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Date: May 12, 1998
Mathematician Bernard Dwork Dies
PRINCETON, N.J. -- The eminent mathematician Bernard Dwork died on May 9, 1998, at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center in New Brunswick, N.J., after a long illness. He was 74, and lived in Princeton.
Born in the Bronx on May 27, 1923, he was educated at the City College of New York and Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. After what he referred to as his "misspent youth" as an electrical engineer, he received his Ph.D. in mathematics from Columbia University in 1954, at the age of 31. His advisors were Emil Artin and John Tate, both then at Princeton University.
Despite Professor Dwork's late start in mathematics, success came quickly. He pioneered the application of p-adic analytic methods to the algebraic geometry of varieties over finite fields; indeed, he invented the methods. In 1962 he was awarded the Cole Prize of the American Mathematical Society for his proof of the rationality of the zeta function of an algebraic variety over a finite field. His work then led him to invent a new subject, the study of differential equations from the point of view of p-adic analysis. He remained a leader in this very active and fascinating area of study. The most recent of his seventy-odd publications, which include three books, was completed just weeks before his death.
He began his mathematical career as a Benjamin Pierce Instructor at Harvard for three years, and then spent seven years at Johns Hopkins University, where he was named professor in 1961. He joined the Princeton University Mathematics Department in 1964, where, in recognition of his signal contributions to the field of number theory, he was named the Eugene Higgins Professor of Mathematics in 1978. In 1992, he was named Professore di Chiara Fama (Professor of Extraordinary Distinction) by the Italian government and was awarded a special chair at the University of Padua, which he occupied until his death. He transferred to emeritus status at Princeton in 1993.
Professor Dwork generously and enthusiastically shared his ideas with colleagues and students around the world. In the course of his long and distinguished career, he developed enduring collaborations and deep friendships with researchers in the United States, France, Italy, and Australia.
Professor Dwork had extraordinarily broad interests, history and poetry prominent among them. Discussions with him were always lively and interesting. He was an avid bicycle rider, and he and his wife spent many vacations walking mountain trails.
During World War II he served in the Asiatic Pacific campaign with the Headquarters Company Army Service Command.
Professor Dwork is survived by Shirley, his wife of fifty years, and three children, Andrew of New York City, Deborah of New Haven, Connecticut, and Cynthia of Palo Alto, California, all of whom have pursued research careers. His four granddaughters were a source of continual delight to him. Other survivors include his brothers Julius and Leo and his sister, Elaine Chanley.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, May 24 at 11:30 a.m. in Taplin Auditorium, Fine Hall. The Crabiel Parkwest Funeral Chapel, New Brunswick, is handling arrangements.