Wilbur Davenport

Wilbur B. Davenport Jr. (July 27, 1920 – August 28, 2003) was a professor emeritus of communication science and engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Early life and education Davenport earned his bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Alabama Polytechnic Institute, Auburn University in 1941 where he was a member of Sigma Pi fraternity. He received his master's degree in 1943 from MIT and then served from 1943 to 1946 in the U.S. Naval Reserve as a lieutenant (junior grade). He returned to MIT and earned his Ph.D. in 1950, just after being named an assistant professor at the institute in 1949.

Career He became a full professor from 1960 to 1982. His notable students: Prof. Victor On-Kwok Li and George L. Turin. He was married to his wife, Joan. They had two children, Mark and Sally.