J. J. Stoker
New York University
March 2, 1905 - October 19, 1992
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Scientific Discipline: Applied Physical Sciences Membership Type:
Emeritus
(elected 1963)
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J. J. Stoker was one of America’s most distinguished applied mathematicians. His major contributions dealt with nonlinear elasticity, nonlinear vibrations, and most importantly, his theory of water waves in hydrodynamics. In his book, Water Waves: The Mathematical Theory with Applications, Stoker applied mathematical formulations for waves and flows to practical applications of flood waves. This gave scientists an improved ability to predict the occurrence and severity of floods. Along with Courant and Friedrichs, Stoker was considered to be one of the founders of New York University’s Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, and served as its director from 1958 to 1966. He was credited with establishing the institute as an international center for applied mathematical analysis and computing.
Stoker earned his B.S. degree in mining engineering and his M.S. degree from the Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1927 and 1931, respectively. He then received his Ph.D. in mathematics from Zurich’s Federal Institute of Technology in 1936. He became a professor of mathematics at New York University in 1937 and kept the position until 1977. In 1958, he succeeded Courant as the chair of the Department of Mathematics at the university. He was awarded the Timoshenko Medal in 1970 for his contributions to applied mechanics.
