Dr. William Dunham Wins 2008 Beckenbach Book Prize
Dr. William Dunham, Koehler Professor of Mathematics at Muhlenberg College, was named the recipient of the 2008 Beckenbach Book Prize by the Mathematics Association of America for his work Euler: The Master of Us All.Thursday, January 17, 2008 01:59 PM
The Beckenbach Book Prize is presented to an author of a distinguished, innovative book published by the MAA. Established in 1986, the prestigious Beckenbach Book Prize was named for the well known mathematician Edwin Beckenbach and replaced the MAA Book Prize which started in 1982. The Beckenbach is not awarded on a regularly scheduled basis, but instead only awarded when a book is deemed exceptional by the MAA.
Dunham’s Euler: The Master of Us All, chronicles the prolific mathematician Leonhard Euler and his innovative and influential work in mathematics. Dunham’s chapters highlight the groundbreaking contributions Euler had on eight different fields of math. Dunham’s work also includes knowledge prior to Euler’s work and the lasting influence Euler had on the mathematics field and subsequent mathematicians.
Described as “entertaining, accessible, and clear” Dunham’s book was awarded as much for his presentation and writing style as the biographical and historical content.
Upon learning of the recognition, Dunham called the award a “career high-light.” In addition to writing Euler: The Master of Us All, Dunham has authored four other books including The Mathematical Universe which received the Association of American Publishers’ 1994 Best Mathematics Book award. He has also received the MAA’s George Poyla Award (1992), Trevor Evans Award (1997), and Lester R. Ford Award (2006) for expository writing.
Dr. William Dunham holds a B.S. and M.S. from the University of Pittsburgh and a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University.
