Robert Alexander Rankin

Robert Alexander Rankin FRSE FRSAMD (27 October 1915 – 27 January 2001) was a Scottish mathematician who worked in analytic number theory.

Life Rankin was born in Garlieston in Wigtownshire the son of Rev Oliver Rankin (1885–1954), minister of Sorbie and his wife, Olivia Theresa Shaw. His father took the name Oliver Shaw Rankin on marriage and became Professor of Old Testament Language, Literature and Theology in the University of Edinburgh.

Rankin was educated at Fettes College then studied mathematics at Clare College, Cambridge, graduating in 1937. At Cambridge he was particularly influenced by J.E. Littlewood and A.E. Ingham.

In 1987 Rankin received the Senior Whitehead Prize from the London Mathematical Society.

Rankin died in Glasgow on 27 January 2001.

Family

In 1942 he married Mary Ferrier Llewellyn.