John Henry Holland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Henry Holland
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| Born | February 2, 1929 |
| Died | August 9, 2015 (aged 86) |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan |
| Known for | Research on genetic algorithms |
| Awards | MacArthur Fellow (1992) Harold Pender Award (1999) Fellow of the World Economic Forum |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Complex systems Psychology Electrical engineering Computer science |
| Institutions | University of Michigan Santa Fe Institute |
| Doctoral advisor | Arthur Walter Burks |
| Doctoral students | Edgar Codd Melanie Mitchell |
John Henry Holland (born February 2, 1929 – died August 9, 2015) was an important American scientist. He was a professor at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He taught psychology, electrical engineering, and computer science. He is best known for being a pioneer in creating something called genetic algorithms.
About John Henry Holland
John Henry Holland was born on February 2, 1929, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
He loved to learn and studied at several universities. First, he studied physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He earned his first degree there in 1950.
After that, he went to the University of Michigan. There, he studied mathematics and received his master's degree in 1954. In 1959, he made history by earning the very first Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) in computer science from the University of Michigan.
Professor Holland held visiting positions at other important places. These included the Rowland Institute for Science and the University of Bergen.
His Important Work
John Henry Holland is often called a "founding father" of the complex systems approach. This is a way of understanding how many different parts work together in a system. He created genetic algorithms and learning classifier systems.
These ideas are now a key part of how people solve problems using computers. They are used in many areas, including optimization and programming.
Holland was also a member of the Board of Trustees and Science Board of the Santa Fe Institute. He was also a fellow of the World Economic Forum.
He received several awards for his work. In 1961, he was given the Louis E. Levy Medal from The Franklin Institute. In 1992, he became a MacArthur Fellow, which is a very special award.
Holland often gave talks around the world. He shared his research on complex adaptive systems (CAS). These are systems that can change and learn over time.
In 1975, he wrote a very important book. It was called "Adaptation in Natural and Artificial Systems." This book helped explain genetic algorithms to many people.
John Henry Holland passed away on August 9, 2015, in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
See also
In Spanish: John Henry Holland para niños
