vonMises

Von Mises, or von Mises, is a surname associated with notable figures in mathematics, statistics, engineering, and economics. The two most frequently referenced individuals are Richard Edler von Mises, an Austrian mathematician and mechanical engineer, and Ludwig von Mises, an Austrian economist. The name also appears in several concepts named in their honor.

Richard Edler von Mises (1883–1953) made contributions across probability, statistics, and continuum mechanics. He introduced the von Mises distribution, a circular probability distribution used in directional statistics. In solid mechanics, he formulated the von Mises yield criterion and developed the concept of deviatoric stress, leading to the use of the von Mises stress as a measure for predicting yielding in ductile materials. His work helped advance the mathematical theory of plasticity and the analysis of materials under complex loading.

Ludwig von Mises (1881–1973) was a central figure in the Austrian School of economics. He authored influential works such as The Theory of Money and Credit and Human Action, promoting praxeology, methodological individualism, and free-market economics. His ideas shaped debates on monetary theory, economic calculation, and liberal political philosophy, and he continued to influence libertarian and classical liberal thought well after his emigration to the United States.

In addition to people, the name appears in related terms named after Richard von Mises, including the von Mises distribution in statistics and the von Mises yield criterion and von Mises stress in materials science. The surname thus intersects multiple disciplines through these foundational concepts.