# Alfred George Dale

> Ph.D. University of Texas at Austin 1961

**Wikidata**: [Q102201755](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102201755)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/alfred-george-dale

## Summary
Alfred George Dale was a British computer scientist and university teacher known for his long-standing career at the University of Texas at Austin. He obtained his Ph.D. in 1961 from the same institution where he would later serve as a faculty member until 1992. His academic legacy includes mentoring doctoral students in the field of computer science.

## Biography
*   **Born:** November 23, 1926 in Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom
*   **Died:** May 5, 2009
*   **Nationality:** United Kingdom
*   **Education:**
    *   Wolstanton Grammar School
    *   Exeter College (completed 1951)
    *   University of Texas at Austin (Ph.D., 1961)
*   **Known for:** Academic contributions in computer science; Ph.D. earned 1961
*   **Employer(s):** University of Texas at Austin (tenure ended 1992)
*   **Field(s):** Computer Science
*   **Languages:** English, German, French

## Contributions
Alfred George Dale's career was defined by his engagement with the theoretical and practical foundations of computer science. As a university teacher, he contributed to the industrial and service sectors of the profession through education and research. His primary academic contribution was his doctoral research, completed in 1961. He also advanced the field through his mentorship of graduate students. Specific contributions include:
*   **Doctoral Research:** Completed a Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Austin in 1961 under the supervision of Erich Zimmermann.
*   **Academic Mentorship:** Supervised the doctoral work of several students, including Charles Murray Williams, Julie Hallmark, and W. Terry Hardgrave.

## FAQs
**What was Alfred George Dale's role at the University of Texas at Austin?**
Alfred George Dale was a university teacher and computer scientist who was affiliated with the university. He earned his Ph.D. there in 1961 and concluded his employment with the institution in 1992.

**Who were the doctoral students of Alfred George Dale?**
During his academic career, Dale supervised three notable doctoral students: Charles Murray Williams, Julie Hallmark, and W. Terry Hardgrave.

**Where was Alfred George Dale educated?**
Dale attended Wolstanton Grammar School and Exeter College, where he studied until 1951. He later attended the University of Texas at Austin, earning his Ph.D. in 1961.

**What languages did Alfred George Dale speak?**
In addition to his native English, Alfred George Dale spoke and wrote German and French.

## Why They Matter
Alfred George Dale played a role in the foundational era of academic computer science. By earning his Ph.D. in 1961—a time when the discipline was formalizing its theoretical underpinnings—he participated in the early development of the field. As a computer scientist classified under the ISCO-08 code 2511, his work bridged the gap between theoretical computation and systems analysis. His influence extended to the next generation of scholars through his mentorship of doctoral candidates, ensuring the continuity of research and expertise in the field.

## Notable For
*   **Early Computer Science Ph.D.:** Achieved a doctorate in 1961, a formative period for the discipline.
*   **Academic Lineage:** Served as a doctoral advisor to Charles Murray Williams, Julie Hallmark, and W. Terry Hardgrave.
*   **Long-term Academic Service:** Maintained a professional association with the University of Texas at Austin spanning from his student days in 1961 to the conclusion of his employment in 1992.
*   **Multidisciplinary Skills:** Combined expertise in computer science with proficiency in German and French.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Alfred George Dale was born on November 23, 1926, in Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom. His early education took place at Wolstanton Grammar School. He subsequently attended Exeter College, completing his studies there in 1951. Dale later moved to the United States to pursue advanced degrees at the University of Texas at Austin. He successfully earned his Ph.D. in 1961; his doctoral thesis was advised by Erich Zimmermann.

### Professional Career
Dale was a computer scientist and university teacher. The profession of computer science, as defined by classification standards such as ISCO-08 (2511) and Dewey Decimal (004.092), focuses on the theoretical foundations of information and computation as well as the design of computational systems. Practitioners in this field often work across the industrial and service sectors.

Dale's primary professional affiliation was with the University of Texas at Austin. His tenure with the university is documented as concluding in 1992. His career involved not only the practice of computer science but also the training of future professionals in the field.

### Academic Influence and Mentorship
A significant aspect of Dale's career was his role in guiding doctoral candidates. He served as the advisor for three students:
*   **Charles Murray Williams**
*   **Julie Hallmark**
*   **W. Terry Hardgrave**

Through these students, Dale contributed to the broader academic landscape of computer science. His identity as a "computer expert" and "systems analyst"—subclassifications of his profession—highlights the technical nature of the guidance he provided.

### Personal Data
Alfred George Dale passed away on May 5, 2009. He is recorded as a male citizen of the United Kingdom. In addition to his professional accomplishments, records note his proficiency in multiple languages, including English, German, and French. His academic identity is further cataloged under the DBLP Author ID 32/4556 and the Mathematics Genealogy Project ID 45411.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/statesman/name/alfred-dale-obituary?id=24368016)
2. Mathematics Genealogy Project