William Vann Parker

William "Vann" Parker
Born(1901-12-22)22 December 1901
Monroe, North Carolina, US
DiedNovember 25, 1987(1987-11-25) (aged 85)
Birmingham, Alabama, US
Alma materUniversity of North Carolina,Princeton University,Brown University
SpouseCarolyn Adele Edwards
Children3
Scientific career
Fieldsclassical algebra, convex and discrete geometry, linear and multilinear algebra, matrix theory
InstitutionsUniversity of the South, University of North Carolina, Princeton University,Mississippi Woman's College,Georgia Institute of Technology,Louisiana State University, University of Georgia, Auburn University
ThesisThe Addition Formulas for Hyperelliptic Functions (1931)
Doctoral advisorAlbert Arnold Bennett
Doctoral studentsAnthony Aucoin, John Currie, Robert Ackerson, Marion Wicht, Sr.

William "Vann" Parker (December 22, 1901 –November 25, 1987) was an American mathematician who worked primarily in classical algebra.[1]

Early life and education

In December 22, 1901, he was born in Monroe, North Carolina to Benjamin Franklin Parker and Sarah Della Cox.[2] [3]He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of North Carolina in 1923[4] followed by a Master of Arts degree the following year.[5] While at the University of North Carolina, he was a member of the Di Society, Math Club, Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society, and Union Country Club. He was also an Assistant Instructor in Mathematics during his senior year.[6] He attended Princeton University between 1926 and 1927; and eventually obtain a PhD at Brown University in 1931 under his advisor Albert Arnold Bennett.[2]

Career

In 1924, he began teaching at the University of the South until 1925. He would then teach at the University of North Carolina between 1925 and 1931. During his attendance at Princeton University he taught there as well. In 1931, he started teaching at Mississippi Woman's College until 1934. He then started teaching at Georgia Institute of Technology in 1934 until 1936 where he was one of the first people hired there to have a doctorate degree.[7] In 1936, he became an associate professor at Louisiana State University where he advised Anthony Aucoin (1940) and John Currie (1948).[8][7] In 1943, he would become the head of the math department at Louisiana State University until leaving in 1947. He then became a regents professor at University of Georgia between 1947 and 1950.[9]

Years at Auburn

In 1950 he became the head of the mathematics department at Alabama Polytechnic Institute a role he would hold until 1965.[10] He is credited for creating the mathematics program at Auburn.[11] In 1953, he took on the additional role of Graduate Dean at Auburn until his retirement on July 1, 1972.[12] From 1953 to 1971 he was a council representative of Auburn University for the Oak Ridge Associated Universities.[13] At Auburn he advised, Robert Ackerson (1955) and Marion Wicht, Sr. (1957).[8] As head of the Math Department in 1960, he traveled to near Washington, D.C. to interviewed Emillie Haynsworth by having her work on a research problem with him in matrix theory until the end of his trip when he stated that she could have a job at Auburn.[14] While he was the dean of the graduate school he oversaw the first doctorate programs at Auburn. As dean of the graduate school he was the defendant in the court case Franklin v. Parker. Parker rejected Harold Franklin's application to the graduate school at Auburn for not graduating from a college that was accredited with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The court found that this is a reasonable policy in an ideal world; however, given that Alabama only accredited the white schools and let the black schools accreditations to expire. Thus, Parker was found to have discriminated against Franklin by following the policy that he was instructed to follow.[15]

Awards and honors

He was a member of the Mathematics Association of America. He helped start the Alabama Association of College Teachers of Mathematics.[2]

He was listed in Who’s Who in America for 1976-1977.[2][16] He was also included in Who’s Who in the South and Southwest, Who’s Who Education, Who’s Who Atoms, American Men of Science, and Leaders in American Science.[16]

Selected works

In 1960, he wrote the book Matrices with James Clifton Eaves.[2][17][16]

Personal life

He married the genealogist and writer Carolyn Adele Edwards on July 3, 1926.[2][9] They had a son and two dauughters.[9] His daughter Emily "Anne" Parker Battle followed in his footsteps studying mathematics and then teaching mathematics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Montevallo.[18]

For more than 60 years, he was a part of the University Masonic Lodge at Chapel Hill.[9]

Death and legacy

In his honor, the Auburn Board of Trustees decided to name the mathematics building Parker Hall.[2]

He died on November 25, 1987, in Birmingham, Alabama, and was buried at Auburn Memorial Park Cemetery.[9][3]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Parker, William Vann". MATHSCINET. American Mathematical Society. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "PARKER, WILLIAM VANN, 1901-1987". Alabama Authors. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  3. ^ a b "William Vann Parker". PeopleLegacy. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  4. ^ "Battle Appeals For World Court Before Carolina Graduates". No. edition 1. Durham morning herald. June 14, 1923. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  5. ^ "One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Annual Commencement The University of North Carolina" (PDF). Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  6. ^ Howard, Thomas Simmons (1923). Yackety Yack (PDF) (33 ed.). Dialectic and Philanthropic Literary Societies and the Fraternities of The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill N.C. p. 107. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  7. ^ a b Duke, Richard. "Mathematics at Georgia Tech: The First Hundred Years, 1888 1987" (PDF). School of Mathematics. Georgia Institute of Technology. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  8. ^ a b "William Vann Parker". Mathematics Genealogy Project. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  9. ^ a b c d e "The University Report March 1988". Carolina Alumni Review. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  10. ^ Glomerata (107 ed.). 2004. p. 92. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  11. ^ "History of COSAM". College of Sciences and Mathematics. Auburn University. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  12. ^ "Class Notes 23'-50th Reunion 1973". The University Report. October 1972. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  13. ^ Pollard, William G. (1980). ORAU: From the Beginning (PDF). Oak Ridge Associated Universities. p. 135. ISBN 0930780043. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  14. ^ Carlson, David (March 1986). "Emilie Haynsworth, 1916–1985". Linear Algebra and its Applications. 75: 269–276. doi:10.1016/0024-3795(86)90194-1. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  15. ^ Johnson, Frank Minis. "Franklin v. Parker". Court Listener. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  16. ^ a b c "WILLIAM VANN PARKER". Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  17. ^ Parker, William Vann (January 1, 1960). Matrices. Ronald Press. ISBN 0826069800. Retrieved 3 July 2025. {{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
  18. ^ "OBITUARY Emily Anne Battle". Dignity Memorial. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
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