# Alexandra Illmer Forsythe

> American computer scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q12950879](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12950879)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexandra_Illmer_Forsythe)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alexandra-illmer-forsythe

## Summary
Alexandra Illmer Forsythe was an American computer scientist and mathematician recognized for her work in the early development of the computing field. She held significant academic affiliations with Stanford University and the University of Utah. As a female scientist active during the formative decades of computer science, she contributed to the study of computation and held authorship records in major academic databases.

## Biography
- **Born:** May 20, 1918, in Newton
- **Died:** January 2, 1980, in Santa Clara County
- **Nationality:** United States
- **Education:** Swarthmore College, Vassar College, Brown University
- **Known for:** Work in computer science and mathematics
- **Employer(s):** Stanford University, University of Utah
- **Field(s):** Computer Science, Mathematics
- **Family:** Spouse George Forsythe; child Diana E. Forsythe

## Contributions
Based on the provided structured data, Alexandra Illmer Forsythe’s contributions are rooted in her professional practice as a computer scientist and mathematician. Her career is documented through extensive bibliographic listings and authority controls, indicating a substantive body of work within the academic and industrial sectors.

She was employed by major research institutions, specifically Stanford University and the University of Utah. Her professional identity is classified under the study and practice of computer science, a field she worked in during its critical expansion period. Forsythe is indexed in the DBLP computer science bibliography (Author ID: 10/663), which catalogs primary literature in the field. Her association with the "industrial sector" and "service sector" in classification data further suggests her work bridged theoretical computation and practical application. While specific book titles or software projects are not listed in the source text, her career trajectory reflects a dedication to the advancement of computing education and research at top-tier universities.

## FAQs
### Q: What was Alexandra Illmer Forsythe's profession?
A: She was an American computer scientist and mathematician who studied and practiced computation.

### Q: Which universities employed Alexandra Illmer Forsythe?
A: She worked for Stanford University and the University of Utah.

### Q: Who was Alexandra Illmer Forsythe related to?
A: She was married to George Forsythe and was the mother of Diana E. Forsythe.

### Q: Where was Alexandra Illmer Forsythe educated?
A: She attended Swarthmore College, Vassar College, and Brown University.

## Why They Matter
Alexandra Illmer Forsythe matters as a foundational figure in the academic establishment of computer science. Active in the mid-20th century, her career at institutions like Stanford University coincided with the formalization of computer science as a distinct academic discipline. Her dual classification in both mathematics and computer science highlights the interdisciplinary nature of the field during that era.

Her legacy is preserved through a robust presence in global knowledge bases, including the Library of Congress, the National Library of Australia, and various international authority files (ISNI, VIAF, GND). This extensive cataloging distinguishes her as a verified and significant contributor to the scientific record. Furthermore, as a woman in a pioneering scientific field, her professional identity as recorded in these databases serves as a historical marker of female participation in the early technological workforce.

## Notable For
- **Academic Affiliations:** Serving as an employee and academic at Stanford University and the University of Utah.
- **Interdisciplinary Work:** Maintaining professional roles in both Mathematics and Computer Science.
- **Global Bibliographic Recognition:** Holding active author records in DBLP, CiNii, and WorldCat Entities.
- **Historical Presence:** Being one of the early individuals classified specifically as a "computer scientist" in major encyclopedic and library classifications.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Alexandra Winifred Illmer Forsythe was born on May 20, 1918, in Newton, United States. Her higher education spanned several notable institutions, including Swarthmore College, Vassar College, and Brown University.

### Academic Career
Forsythe built her career in the academic sector, with documented employment at Stanford University and the University of Utah. Her professional work was categorized under the industrial and service sectors, focusing on the study of computation.

### Personal Life
Forsythe was married to George Forsythe, a notable figure often associated with the development of computer science. They had one child, Diana E. Forsythe. Alexandra Illmer Forsythe passed away on January 2, 1980, in Santa Clara County.

### Identifiers and Records
Forsythe's biographical data is preserved across numerous international library and scientific networks. Key identifiers include:
*   **ISNI:** 0000000109782844
*   **Library of Congress:** n79021662
*   **VIAF:** 60350465
*   **DBLP:** 10/663
*   **GND:** 1035443775
Her records appear in Wikipedia across English, German, French, and Piedmontese languages, indicating international recognition of her biography.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. CiNii Research
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. CONOR.SI
5. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File