# Abraham Ginzburg

> Israeli academic

**Wikidata**: [Q99848670](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q99848670)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Ginzburg)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/abraham-ginzburg

## Summary
Abraham Ginzburg was an Israeli computer scientist and academic who served as the President of the Open University of Israel from 1977 to 1987. A prominent figure in the field of computer science and mathematics, he is noted for his collaboration with Paul Erdős, holding an Erdős number of 1. His career spanned significant contributions to computation and higher education leadership in Israel.

## Biography
- **Born:** August 1, 1926 in Navahrudak
- **Died:** December 30, 2020 in Tel-Aviv
- **Nationality:** Israel
- **Education:** Doctoral advisor was Dov Tamari
- **Known for:** Leadership in Israeli academia and collaborative mathematical research
- **Employer(s):** Open University of Israel (President)
- **Field(s):** Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Mathematics

## Contributions
Abraham Ginzburg made distinct contributions to the academic landscape through both administrative leadership and mathematical research. His most significant administrative role was serving as the President of the Open University of Israel for a decade, from 1977 to 1987. During this tenure, he succeeded Max Rowe and was later succeeded by Nehemia Levtzion, guiding the institution through a critical period of its development.

In the realm of research, Ginzburg specialized in computer science and computation. He is recognized for his direct collaboration with the renowned mathematician Paul Erdős. Specifically, Ginzburg co-authored "A theorem in additive number theory" in 1961. This collaboration grants him an Erdős number of 1, a distinction in the mathematical community that indicates a direct co-authorship with Erdős. His academic work is indexed in major databases including DBLP, Scopus, and zbMATH, covering topics in computer science and artificial intelligence. In recognition of his service and impact, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by The Open University in 1988.

## FAQs
### Q: What was Abraham Ginzburg's role in Israeli academia?
A: Abraham Ginzburg served as the President of the Open University of Israel from 1977 to 1987. He was honored with an honorary doctorate from the same institution in 1988.

### Q: What is Abraham Ginzburg's Erdős number?
A: Abraham Ginzburg has an Erdős number of 1. This indicates he co-authored a paper, specifically "A theorem in additive number theory" published in 1961, directly with Paul Erdős.

### Q: What field of study did Abraham Ginzburg specialize in?
A: While originally noted as a mathematician, his primary occupation and field of work listed in academic sources is computer science, including interests in artificial intelligence.

## Why They Matter
Abraham Ginzburg matters for his dual impact on the structure of Israeli higher education and the field of theoretical computer science. As President of the Open University of Israel, he played a pivotal role in the administration and expansion of distance learning opportunities in the country during the late 1970s and 1980s. His leadership helped solidify the university's standing, bridging the gap between its founding era and its future growth.

Scientifically, Ginzburg serves as a connection to the classical era of modern mathematics. His direct collaboration with Paul Erdős on additive number theory places him in an exclusive group of scholars. An Erdős number of 1 is a rare metric that highlights his active participation in high-level mathematical research early in his career (1961). This blend of high-level theoretical work and practical academic administration defines his lasting legacy.

## Notable For
- Serving as President of the Open University of Israel (1977–1987).
- Holding an Erdős number of 1 via the 1961 paper "A theorem in additive number theory".
- Being a pioneering Israeli computer scientist and academic.
- Receiving an honorary doctorate from The Open University in 1988.
- Contributing to the fields of artificial intelligence and computation.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Abraham Ginzburg was born on August 1, 1926, in Navahrudak. He pursued an academic path in mathematics and computer science. His doctoral studies were guided by Dov Tamari, a mathematician known for his work on monoids and the Tamari lattice.

### Academic and Research Career
Ginzburg's professional identity is centered on computer science, classified broadly under the study of computation and specifically within the industry sectors of industrial and service sectors. He maintained active research output, evidenced by his presence in the Mathematics Genealogy Project (ID: 215255) and the ACM Digital Library.

A notable milestone in his research career occurred in 1961, when he co-authored "A theorem in additive number theory" with Paul Erdős. This work resulted in an Erdős number of 1, categorizing him as a close collaborator of one of the most prolific mathematicians of the 20th century.

### Leadership at the Open University
Ginzburg is most prominently recognized in Israel for his tenure as the President of the Open University. He assumed the position in 1977, succeeding Max Rowe. He held the presidency for ten years, stepping down in 1987 to be succeeded by Nehemia Levtzion. Following his presidency, the institution awarded him an honorary doctorate on July 9, 1988.

### Death and Legacy
Abraham Ginzburg passed away on December 30, 2020, in Tel-Aviv. His legacy is preserved through various international authority identifiers, including the Library of Congress (n88653879), BnF (17916551m), and VIAF (111728781). He is remembered as a significant male figure in Israeli science and education.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. [Source](https://www5.open.ac.uk/students/ceremonies/sites/www.open.ac.uk.students.ceremonies/files/files/Honorary%20graduate%20cumulative%20list(7).xlsx)
3. Mathematics Genealogy Project
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. CiNii Research
6. [Source](https://sites.google.com/oakland.edu/grossman/home/the-erdoes-number-project/the-erdoes-number-project-data-files/erdos0d)
7. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File