C. Stanley Ogilvy

Charles Stanley Ogilvy (1913–2000) was an American mathematician, sailor, and author. He was a professor of mathematics at Hamilton College (New York), and a frequent competitor at the Star World Championships. His many books include works on both mathematics and sailing.

Sailing Ogilvy grew up sailing near New Rochelle, New York, on the mainland side of the Long Island Sound. Later, he also sailed Etchells. The C. Stanley Ogilvy Masters Trophy, an antique sextant awarded to a sailor over the age of 50, was named in his honor and has been presented annually by the Etchells World Championships since 1999.

Education and career Ogilvy went to the Berkshire School, then did his undergraduate studies at Williams College. After earning an M.A. from Cambridge University and an M.S. at Columbia University, and doing additional studies at Princeton University, Ogilvy finished his graduate studies with a PhD in mathematics from Syracuse University in 1954. His thesis, supervised by Walter R. Baum, was entitled An Investigation of Some Properties of Asymptotic Lines on Surfaces of Negative Gaussian Curvature. Through the Mathescope (Oxford Univ. Press, 1956). Later republished as Excursions in Mathematics. Tomorrow's Math: Unsolved Problems for the Amateur (Oxford Univ. Press, 1962) Thoughts on Small Boat Racing (Van Nostrand, 1966) Excursions in Number Theory (with John T. Anderson, Oxford Univ. Press, 1966) Excursions in Geometry (Oxford Univ. Press, 1969) Win More Sailboat Races (Norton, 1976) A History of the Star Class: The First Eighty Years (International Star Class Yacht Racing Association, 1991) The Larchmont Yacht Club: A History, 1880–1990 (Larchmont Yacht Club, 1993)