DouglasHartree

Douglas Rayner Hartree was a British applied mathematician and physicist. He was born on June 27, 1897, in Cambridge, England, and died on November 12, 1958, in Cambridge. Hartree is most famous for his pioneering work in the field of numerical calculation and the development of early computing machines.

Hartree's academic career included a period at the University of Manchester and later at the University of Cambridge, where he held the position of Plummer Professor of Mathematical Physics. His early research focused on atomic physics, particularly the calculation of atomic structures. This work led him to recognize the need for more efficient computational methods.

In the 1930s, Hartree began developing mechanical analog computing devices to solve differential equations. His most famous creation was the Differential Analyzer, a complex machine that could perform calculations for scientific and engineering problems. During World War II, Hartree played a crucial role in the war effort by applying his computational expertise to problems in ballistics and aerodynamics.

Following the war, Hartree's interest shifted to the emerging field of digital electronic computers. He recognized their potential and contributed to their development and application in scientific research. He understood the importance of algorithms and numerical analysis for these new machines. The Hartree Centre in the UK, a precursor to the National Physical Laboratory's computing division, was named in his honor. His work laid significant groundwork for the computational science that is prevalent today.