Floyd Williams facts for kids
Floyd Leroy Williams was born on September 20, 1939. He is a North American mathematician. He is well known for his work in Lie theory. More recently, he has also worked in mathematical physics. Besides Lie theory, he is interested in homological algebra. He also studies the math behind quantum mechanics.
He earned his first degree (B.S.) in Mathematics in 1962. This was from Lincoln University of Missouri. Later, he got his M.S. in 1965 and Ph.D. in 1972. Both were from Washington University in St. Louis.
Williams became a professor of mathematics in 1984. This was at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He has been a professor emeritus (retired but still respected) since 2005. His achievements were recognized by Mathematically Gifted & Black. They honored him during Black History Month in 2019.
Early Life and Education
Floyd Williams was born on September 20, 1939. He grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. His family faced extreme poverty. His mother taught him to have faith and work hard instead of complaining. This advice helped him greatly. He later became a minister in addition to being a mathematician.
When he was in high school, he loved music more than mathematics. He even said that math was his worst subject. Williams did not plan to go to college. But in his last week of high school, he received a music scholarship. This was from Lincoln University of Missouri in Jefferson City, Missouri.
In his second year of college, he became very interested in the theory of relativity. This theory became his main reason for studying mathematics. In 1972, he finished his Ph.D. at Washington University. His advanced research paper, called a thesis, was about Lie theory.
From 1972 to 1975, he worked as an instructor and lecturer at MIT. Then, in 1975, he moved to the University of Massachusetts Amherst. There, he became an assistant professor. In 1983, he received a special grant called an MRI grant. This helped him continue his research. It also helped him become a more recognized mathematician.
Overcoming Challenges and Helping Others
As an African-American, Williams worked in a field that had few minority people. He faced discrimination during his career. However, he became a great role model for many young minority students. He encouraged them to study science and engineering.
Williams helped create programs for students before college and for undergraduates. These programs allowed them to meet and talk with mathematicians, scientists, and engineers. A notable program was a summer camp at MIT. He explained that young people often only see different courses. They want to know what mathematicians do every day.
He also believes that once minorities decide to do graduate work in science or engineering, they need extra help. Graduate school can feel like a new and different world for many. He said that only a few universities have such programs, and more are needed.
In 2012, he was named a fellow of the American Mathematical Society. This is a high honor for mathematicians.
Contributions to Mathematics
Williams has recently contributed to quantum mechanics. This is a field of physics that studies very small particles. His work uses the Nikiforov-Uvarov theory. This theory helps solve the Schrödinger equation. This equation is important for understanding how particles behave. His work helps explain how energy levels are set in a clear way.
This theory also provides a simple way to understand special functions. These are important mathematical tools. Williams' studies help connect modern pure mathematics with physics.
