Harry Pitt facts for kids

Sir Harry Raymond Pitt (born June 3, 1914 – died October 8, 2005) was a famous British mathematician. He was known for his important work in mathematics and for leading universities.

Early Life and Education

Harry Raymond Pitt was born in West Bromwich, England, in 1914. His parents were Harry and Harriet Pitt. He went to King Edward's School in Stourbridge. After that, he studied at Peterhouse, Cambridge, which is a college at the University of Cambridge.

Becoming a Mathematician

From 1936 to 1939, Harry Pitt was a Fellow at Peterhouse. This means he was a special researcher there. During this time, he also spent about a year studying at Harvard University in the United States.

In 1938, he earned his PhD degree from Cambridge University. His research was about something called Tauberian theorems. This work made him very interested in probability theory, which is the study of how likely events are to happen.

Working for the Government

During World War II, Harry Pitt used his skills to help his country. In 1942, he started working in London. He worked for the Air Ministry and the Ministry of Aircraft Production. These government departments were important for making planes and helping the war effort.

A Career in Universities

After the war, Harry Pitt returned to teaching and research.

Professor of Mathematics

In 1945, he became a Professor of Mathematics at Queen's University of Belfast in Northern Ireland. Five years later, in 1950, he moved to the University of Nottingham in England. There, he became a Professor of Pure Mathematics.

In 1962 and 1963, he traveled to the United States again. He was a visiting professor at Yale University, another famous university.

Leading a University

In 1964, Harry Pitt took on a very big role. He was chosen to be the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading. The Vice-Chancellor is like the head or president of a university. He stayed in this important position until 1978.

Challenges at Reading University

During his time at Reading University, there were student protests in 1968. In one well-known event, some students held him and another university official in a building. But Harry Pitt was very clever. He had thought this might happen and had a spare set of keys. He was able to escape safely.

Important Roles and Awards

Harry Pitt also held several other important positions.

• Between 1975 and 1978, he was the chairman of the Universities Central Council on Admissions. This group helps students apply to universities.
• From 1984 to 1985, he was the President of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications. This is a group for mathematicians who work in different fields.

Recognition for His Work

Sir Harry Pitt received many honors for his contributions. He was given special honorary degrees from several universities:

• University of Aberdeen (1970)
• University of Nottingham (1970)
• University of Reading (1978)
• Queen's University of Belfast (1981)

In 1957, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists in the United Kingdom. In 1978, he was made a knight, which is why he is called "Sir Harry Pitt."