Thomas MacFarland Cherry facts for kids

Sir Thomas MacFarland Cherry (born May 21, 1898 – died November 21, 1966) was a brilliant Australian mathematician. He was a professor at the University of Melbourne for many years, from 1929 until he retired in 1963. He was also a F.A.A. and a F.R.S., which are very high honors for scientists.

Growing Up and School

Tom Cherry was born in Glen Iris, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia, on May 21, 1898. He went to Scotch College. In 1914, he was the top student there, winning awards in subjects like algebra, physics, and chemistry.

After high school, he went to Ormond College at the University of Melbourne. He studied mathematics and won many prizes and scholarships.

A Change of Plans

After graduating, Tom joined the A.I.F. in July 1918. He was sent to the Australian Flying Corps. He left the army in December 1918 and first thought about studying medicine.

However, his godfather, Sir John MacFarland, was a famous mathematician and physicist. Sir John offered to help Tom financially if he continued to study mathematics. So, Tom decided to go to Cambridge in England to keep learning about math.

Time in Britain

Tom Cherry spent the next ten years in Britain. He first studied at Trinity College, where he became a Fellow in 1924. Being a Fellow means you are a senior member of the college, often a researcher or teacher.

He also worked as a substitute professor. He filled in for Professor Edward Arthur Milne at Manchester University from 1924 to 1925. Later, he substituted for Professor Sir Charles Galton Darwin at Edinburgh University in 1927.

Return to Australia

In 1929, Tom Cherry came back to Australia. He became the professor of "pure and mixed mathematics" at the University of Melbourne.

War Work and Later Career

During the Second World War, he used his math skills to help with important research. He worked on projects related to radar (which helps detect objects), explosives, and operations research (which uses math to solve problems in planning and management).

In 1952, he took on the role of professor of applied mathematics. From 1950 until he retired in 1963, he worked hard to improve how mathematics was taught. Many important groups recognized and rewarded his efforts. He was even knighted in 1965, which means he received the title "Sir."

Key Achievements

Sir Thomas MacFarland Cherry had a very successful career. Here are some of his important achievements:

• In 1918, he earned First Class Honours from the University of Melbourne.
• He graduated with a B.A. from Cambridge in 1922.
• He earned his Ph.D. from Cambridge in 1924.
• From 1924 to 1928, he was a Fellow at Trinity College.
• He was the Chair of Mathematics at the University of Melbourne from 1929 to 1963.
• In 1951, he received the Lyle Medallist from the Australian National Research Council.
• He became a F.R.S. in 1954. This is a very prestigious honor for scientists.
• Also in 1954, he became a Foundation Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science.
• He was the first President of the AustMS (Australian Mathematical Society) from 1956 to 1958.
• From 1961 to 1963, he was the first President of the Victorian Computer Society.
• He served as President of the A.A.S. from 1961 to 1965.
• In 1963, he received honorary Doctor of Science degrees from the A.N.U. and the University of W.A..
• He was made a Knight Bachelor in 1965.

Personal Life

Sir Thomas Cherry enjoyed outdoor activities. He was a very keen mountaineer, meaning he loved climbing mountains. He was also deeply involved in the Boy Scouts movement.

In 1924, while he was a Boy Scout commissioner for Cambridge, he met Olive Ellen Wright. She was a Girl Guide commissioner. They married in England on January 24, 1931.

Sir Thomas died on November 21, 1966, in Kew, Australia. He passed away from a heart attack. He was buried in Gisborne cemetery. His wife and daughter survived him.

Legacy

Sir Thomas MacFarland Cherry's work is still remembered today. The TM Cherry Prize is awarded every year by ANZIAM (Australia and New Zealand Industrial and Applied Mathematics) since 1969. This prize honors his contributions to mathematics.