| 1 | Name: | Dr. John W. Milnor | |
| Institution: | State University of New York, Stony Brook | ||
| Year Elected: | 1965 | ||
| Class: | 1. Mathematical and Physical Sciences | ||
| Subdivision: | 104. Mathematics | ||
| Residency: | Resident | ||
| Living? : | Living | ||
| Birth Date: | 1931 | ||
John W. Milnor is a professor at the State University of New York, Stony Brook, where he also co-directs the Institute for Mathematical Sciences. Known for his work in differential topology, K-theory and dynamical systems, Dr. Milnor was for many years associated with Princeton University, earning his Ph.D. there in 1954 and becoming Henry Putnam University Professor of Mathematics in 1962. His most celebrated single result is his proof of the existence of 7-dimensional spheres with nonstandard differential structure. Later, he showed that the 7-sphere has 15 differentiable structures (28 if you consider orientation). An n-sphere with nonstandard differential structure is called an exotic sphere, a term coined by Dr. Milnor. An accomplished mathematical writer with numerous books and papers, including many on topology and game theory, to his credit, he has also served as editor of the Annals of Mathematics since 1962. That same year, Dr. Milnor was awarded the Fields Medal for his work in differential topology, and since that time he has received many other awards, including the National Medal of Science (1967), the Leroy P. Steele Prize for Seminal Contribution to Research (1982), the Wolf Prize in Mathematics (1989), the Leroy P. Steele Prize for Mathematical Exposition (2004), and both the Leroy P. Steele Prize for Lifetime Acheivement and the Abel Prize in 2011. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences. | |||