David Rees | |
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Born | 28 May 1918 |
Alma mater | University of Cambridge |
Doctoral students | Michael P. Drazin O.A.S Karamzadeh Inder Bir Passi |
Known for | Commutative algebra Rees factor semigroup Rees matrix semigroup[1] Rees's theorem[1] |
David Rees ScD Cantab, FIMA, FRS (Mathematics) (born 28 May 1918) is an emeritus professor of pure mathematics at the University of Exeter, having been head of the Mathematics / Mathematical Sciences Department at Exeter for many years.
During the Second World War, Rees was active on Enigma research in Hut 6 at Bletchley Park.
He initially worked on semigroup theory, and Rees factor semigroup is named after him. He also gave a characterization of completely simple and completely 0-simple semigroups, nowadays known as Rees's theorem. The matrix-based semigroups used in this characterization are called Rees matrix semigroups.[1][2]
At the behest of Douglas Northcott he switched his research focus to commutative algebra.[3] In 1954, in a joint paper with Northcott, Rees introduced the Northcott-Rees theory of reductions and integral closures which has subsequently been influential in commutative algebra.[4]
In 1993, he was awarded the Pólya Prize by the London Mathematical Society.
In August 1998, a conference on Commutative Algebra was held at Exeter in honour of David Rees' 80th Year.
He is an Honorary Fellow of Downing College, Cambridge[5]
In 1952,[6] he married Dr Joan S. Cushen, who, as Dr Joan Rees, became a Senior Lecturer in Mathematics at Exeter, with several children, including: