Benson Farb

Benson Stanley Farb (born October 25, 1967) is an American mathematician at the University of Chicago. His research fields include geometric group theory and low-dimensional topology.

Early life A native of Norristown, Pennsylvania, Farb earned his bachelor's degree from Cornell University. In 1994, he obtained his doctorate from Princeton University, under the supervision of William Thurston.

Career Farb has advised over 40 students, including Pallavi Dani, Kathryn Mann, Dan Margalit, Karin Melnick and Andrew Putman. In 2014, he was an invited speaker at the International Congress of Mathematicians in Seoul, speaking in the section on Topology. He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2021. In 2024, he was awarded the Leroy P. Steele Prize for Mathematical Exposition.

Books

Personal life Farb married Amie Wilkinson, professor of mathematics at the University of Chicago, on December 28, 1996. They are professors in the same department.