John Monroe Van Vleck

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John Monroe Van Vleck (March 4, 1833–November 5, 1912) was an American mathematician and astronomer.

Born in Stone Ridge, New York, he was the son of Peter Van Vleck and Ann Hasbrouck. He graduated from Wesleyan University in 1850, and began teaching at Greenwich Academy. (He subsequently earned an LL. D.) From 1851-3 he was an assistant at the Nautical Almanac Office. He was married to Ellen Maria Burr on May 2, 1854.[1]

He taught astronomy and mathematics at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut for more than 50 years, serving as adjunct professor 1853-57, professor 1885-1904, and professor emeritus 1904-12. He served as the acting president for the university on two occasions, 1872-73 and 1887-89, the vice president 1890-93.[2] In 1904 he was vice-president of the American Mathematical Society.[3]

In 1869 he was a member of the Solar Eclipse Expedition to Mount Pleasant, Iowa. He was a fellow of the A.A.A.S.[1] The Van Vleck Observatory at Wesleyan University was named after him,[3] as was the Van Vleck crater on the Moon.

His wife died December 26, 1899, but he lived an additional 12 years. J. M. van Vleck was survived by a son and three daughters.[4] Their son, Edward Burr Van Vleck, was a leading mathematician in the United States.[5] Edward taught at the University of Wisconsin, where he became professor emeritus in 1926.[3]

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[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Leonard, John William; Marquis, Albert Nelson (1903). Who's who in America, Vols. 28-30. Marquis. 
  2. ^ Department of Astronomy. Wesleyan University. Retrieved on 2007-12-03.
  3. ^ a b c Archibald, Raymond Clare (1938). American Mathematical Society Semicentennial Publications, Volume 1, A Semicentennial History of the American Mathematical Society, 1888-1938.. American Mathematical Society. ISBN 082180118X. 
  4. ^ "Prof. John Monroe Van Vleck.", The New York Times, November 5, 1912. Retrieved on 2007-12-03. 
  5. ^ O'Connor, J. J.; Robertson, E. F. (August 2005). Edward Burr Van Vleck. Retrieved on 2006-08-10.