About George W. Whitehead
Lived 1918 – 2004 (aged 85). George W. Whitehead was an American mathematician, topologist and university teacher, known for J-homomorphism.
George William Whitehead, Jr. (August 2, 1918 – April 12, 2004) was an American professor of mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a member of the United States National Academy of Sciences, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He is known for his work on algebraic topology. He invented the J-homomorphism, and was among the first to systematically calculate the homotopy groups of spheres. He is also central to the study of stable homotopy theory, in particular making concrete the connections between spectra and generalized homology/cohomology theories.
Whitehead was born in Bloomington, Illinois, and received his Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Chicago in 1941, under the supervision of Norman Steenrod.
He was a member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences (elected in 1954) and the United States National Academy of Sciences (elected in 1972).
Selected publications
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Frequently asked questions
Who was George W. Whitehead?
American mathematician (1918-2004)
When was George W. Whitehead born?
George W. Whitehead was born on 2 August 1918 in Bloomington.
When did George W. Whitehead die?
George W. Whitehead died on 12 April 2004.
What was George W. Whitehead's occupation?
George W. Whitehead was a mathematician, topologist and university teacher.
What was George W. Whitehead known for?
George W. Whitehead was known for J-homomorphism.
What nationality was George W. Whitehead?
George W. Whitehead was American.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: George W. Whitehead
· DBpedia: George W. Whitehead
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). George W. Whitehead. https://biography.guide/george-w-whitehead/
MLA: "George W. Whitehead." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/george-w-whitehead/.
Chicago: "George W. Whitehead." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/george-w-whitehead/.
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