E. W. Hobson

For the rugby league footballer of the 1920s, see Ernest Hobson.
E. W. Hobson

Ernest William Hobson (18561933)
Born 27 October 1856
Derby
Died 19 April 1933
Residence UK
Nationality British
Fields Mathematician
Institutions Christ's College, Cambridge
Alma mater Royal School of Mines
Christ's College, Cambridge
Notable students Philippa Fawcett
John Maynard Keynes
Known for Real analysis
Notable awards Royal Medal (1907)
De Morgan Medal (1920)

Ernest William Hobson FRS[1] (27 October 1856 19 April 1933) was an English mathematician, now remembered mostly for his books, some of which broke new ground in their coverage in English of topics from mathematical analysis. He was Sadleirian Professor at the University of Cambridge from 1910 to 1931.

He was born in Derby, and was educated at Derby School, the Royal School of Mines, and Christ's College, Cambridge, graduating Senior wrangler in 1878.[2] He was the brother of the economist John A. Hobson. He became a Fellow of Christ's almost immediately after graduation. He made his way into research mathematics only gradually, becoming an expert in the theory of spherical harmonics.

His 1907 work on real analysis was something of a watershed in the British mathematical tradition; and was lauded by G. H. Hardy.[3] It included material on general topology and Fourier series that was topical at the time; and included mistakes that were picked up later (for example by R. L. Moore).

He is buried in the Parish of the Ascension Burial Ground in Cambridge, with his wife Seline, born 25 March 1860, died 10 June 1940, by whom he had four sons, one of whom Walter William (1894 - 1930) is buried with them in the same grave.

Works

See also

References

  1. "Ernest William Hobson. 1856-1933". Obituary Notices of Fellows of the Royal Society 1 (3): 236–413. 1934. doi:10.1098/rsbm.1934.0008.
  2. "Hobson, Ernest William (HB874EW)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  3. lms newsletter

External links

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