# Alan Perlis

> American computer scientist (1922–1990)

**Wikidata**: [Q62861](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q62861)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Perlis)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alan-perlis

## Summary
Alan Perlis was an American computer scientist and mathematician best known for his pioneering contributions to programming languages, particularly ALGOL, and his leadership in establishing computer science as an academic discipline. He was the first recipient of the Turing Award in 1966 and played a key role in shaping early computer science education and research.

## Biography
- **Born**: April 1, 1922, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- **Nationality**: American
- **Education**:
  - Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University (1943)
  - Master of Science in Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1949)
  - Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1950)
- **Known for**: Contributions to programming languages (ALGOL), computer science education, and leadership in the field
- **Employer(s)**:
  - Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1948–1949)
  - Purdue University (1952–1956)
  - Carnegie Mellon University (1956–1971)
  - Yale University (1971–1990)
  - United States Navy (1951–1952)
- **Field(s)**: Computer science, mathematics

## Contributions
Alan Perlis made significant contributions to the development of programming languages, particularly ALGOL, which was introduced in 1958. ALGOL became a foundational language for many subsequent programming languages and was widely used in academic and research settings. Perlis was also instrumental in establishing computer science as a formal academic discipline. He served as the president of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) from 1962 to 1964 and was the first recipient of the Turing Award in 1966, recognizing his influence in the field.

Perlis's work extended beyond programming languages. He was a prolific educator and mentor, supervising numerous doctoral students who went on to make significant contributions to computer science, including Zohar Manna, David Parnas, and Mary Shaw. His research and teachings helped shape the early curriculum and research directions in computer science departments across the United States.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Alan Perlis best known for?
A: Alan Perlis is best known for his contributions to the development of the ALGOL programming language and his leadership in establishing computer science as an academic discipline. He was also the first recipient of the Turing Award in 1966.

### Q: Where did Alan Perlis work?
A: Perlis worked at several prestigious institutions, including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Purdue University, Carnegie Mellon University, and Yale University. He also served in the United States Navy.

### Q: What awards did Alan Perlis receive?
A: Perlis received numerous awards, including the Turing Award (1966), the Computer Pioneer Award (1985), and several honorary doctorates from institutions such as the University of Waterloo and Purdue University.

### Q: Who were some of Alan Perlis's notable students?
A: Some of Perlis's notable doctoral students include Zohar Manna, David Parnas, Mary Shaw, Gary Lindstrom, and Jerome A. Feldman, all of whom made significant contributions to computer science.

### Q: What was Alan Perlis's role in the development of ALGOL?
A: Perlis was a key figure in the development of ALGOL, a family of imperative computer programming languages introduced in 1958. His work on ALGOL helped establish it as a foundational language for many subsequent programming languages.

## Why They Matter
Alan Perlis's work had a profound impact on the field of computer science. His contributions to the development of ALGOL helped shape the design and structure of modern programming languages. As an educator and leader, Perlis played a crucial role in establishing computer science as a formal academic discipline, influencing the curriculum and research directions in universities worldwide.

Perlis's leadership in the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and his receipt of the first Turing Award underscored his significance in the field. His mentorship of numerous doctoral students who became influential computer scientists further extended his legacy. Without Perlis's contributions, the development of programming languages and the formalization of computer science education might have taken a different, potentially slower path.

## Notable For
- First recipient of the Turing Award (1966)
- Key contributor to the development of the ALGOL programming language
- President of the Association for Computing Machinery (1962–1964)
- Mentor to influential computer scientists such as Zohar Manna and David Parnas
- Established computer science as a formal academic discipline

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Alan Jay Perlis was born on April 1, 1922, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Carnegie Mellon University in 1943. After serving in the United States Army during World War II, he pursued graduate studies in mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), earning a Master of Science in 1949 and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1950.

### Career and Contributions
Perlis began his academic career at MIT, where he worked from 1948 to 1949. He then moved to Purdue University, where he taught from 1952 to 1956. In 1956, he joined Carnegie Mellon University, where he remained until 1971. During this time, he made significant contributions to the development of the ALGOL programming language, which was introduced in 1958. ALGOL became a foundational language for many subsequent programming languages and was widely used in academic and research settings.

Perlis was also a leader in the computer science community. He served as the president of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) from 1962 to 1964 and was the first recipient of the Turing Award in 1966, recognizing his influence in the field. In 1971, he joined Yale University, where he continued his work in computer science until his death in 1990.

### Mentorship and Legacy
Perlis was a prolific educator and mentor, supervising numerous doctoral students who went on to make significant contributions to computer science. Some of his notable students include Zohar Manna, David Parnas, Mary Shaw, Gary Lindstrom, and Jerome A. Feldman. His research and teachings helped shape the early curriculum and research directions in computer science departments across the United States.

### Awards and Honors
Perlis received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including the Turing Award (1966), the Computer Pioneer Award (1985), and several honorary doctorates from institutions such as the University of Waterloo and Purdue University. He was also a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering.

### Death and Legacy
Alan Perlis died on February 7, 1990, at Yale – New Haven Hospital from a myocardial infarction. His contributions to computer science, particularly in the development of programming languages and the establishment of computer science as an academic discipline, continue to be recognized and celebrated.

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## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. [The New York Times. 1990](https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/09/obituaries/alan-j-perlis-67-helped-to-develop-computer-science.html)
3. [Source](http://amturing.acm.org/award_winners/perlis_0132439.cfm)
4. [Mathematics Genealogy Project](http://www.genealogy.ams.org/id.php?id=86340)
5. Mathematics Genealogy Project
6. [Source](https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.5555/905871)
7. International Standard Name Identifier
8. CiNii Research
9. [Source](https://history.computer.org/pioneers/perlis.html)
10. [Source](https://www.nae.edu/28748/Dr-Alan-J-Perlis)
11. SNAC
12. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
13. [Alan J. Perlis | Open Library](https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL2001683A/Alan_J._Perlis)
14. Virtual International Authority File
15. IdRef