# Brian Randell

> British computer scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q3182023](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3182023)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Randell)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/brian-randell

## Summary
Brian Randell is a British computer scientist and engineer, born in 1936 in London. He is widely recognized for his significant contributions to dependable computing and the history of computer science. Randell has held positions at English Electric, IBM, and Newcastle University, and is a Fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Learned Society of Wales.

## Biography
*   Born: 1936, London
*   Nationality: United Kingdom
*   Education: Doctor of Science, Imperial College London
*   Known for: Contributions to dependable computing and computer history
*   Employer(s): English Electric (1957-1964), IBM (1964-1969), Newcastle University (from 1969)
*   Field(s): Computer science, informatics, history of computer science

## Contributions
Brian Randell has made substantial contributions to the fields of dependable computing and the history of computer science. His work was formally recognized when he received the IEEE Emanuel R. Piore Award in 2002. In 2008, he was named an ACM Fellow, specifically cited "For contributions to dependable computing and computer history," highlighting the impact of his research and scholarship in these areas. He delivered a Turing Talk in 2000, further underscoring his prominence in the computing community. Throughout his career, Randell has influenced the field through his roles at English Electric (1957-1964), IBM (1964-1969), and his long tenure at Newcastle University (from 1969). He has also mentored doctoral students, including Luigi Vincenzo Mancini and Eike Best, extending his academic legacy. His academic achievements include a Doctor of Science degree and honorary doctorates from the University of Rennes I (1991) and INP Toulouse (1999).

## FAQs
### Q: What is Brian Randell's nationality and birthplace?
A: Brian Randell is a British citizen, born in 1936 in London, United Kingdom.

### Q: What are Brian Randell's primary fields of expertise?
A: Brian Randell's primary fields of work are computer science, informatics, and the history of computer science.

### Q: Which organizations has Brian Randell been employed by?
A: Brian Randell worked for English Electric from 1957 to 1964, IBM from 1964 to 1969, and has been affiliated with Newcastle University since 1969.

### Q: What significant awards and fellowships has Brian Randell received?
A: Brian Randell received the IEEE Emanuel R. Piore Award in 2002 and was named an ACM Fellow in 2008. He is also a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales and the British Computer Society.

## Why They Matter
Brian Randell's work is significant for its lasting impact on the reliability of computer systems and the preservation of computing's historical narrative. His recognition with the IEEE Emanuel R. Piore Award and as an ACM Fellow specifically for "contributions to dependable computing and computer history" underscores his pivotal role in these areas. His efforts have helped establish robust practices in system design and fostered a deeper understanding of the evolution of computer science. Through his academic career, particularly at Newcastle University, he has educated and mentored numerous students, including notable figures like Eike Best, thereby shaping future generations of computer scientists. His extensive list of fellowships and honorary doctorates from institutions like the University of Rennes I and INP Toulouse reflect widespread international acknowledgment of his profound expertise and scholarly contributions, making him a foundational figure in his fields.

## Notable For
*   Recipient of the IEEE Emanuel R. Piore Award in 2002.
*   Named an ACM Fellow in 2008 for contributions to dependable computing and computer history.
*   Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales (2011) and the British Computer Society.
*   Long-standing affiliation with Newcastle University since 1969, following roles at English Electric and IBM.
*   Awarded honorary doctorates from the University of Rennes I (1991) and INP Toulouse (1999).

## Body
### Personal Information
*   **Name:** Brian Randell
*   **Given Name:** Brian
*   **Sex or Gender:** Male
*   **Birth Date:** 1936
*   **Birth Place:** London
*   **Citizenship:** United Kingdom
*   **Languages Spoken, Written, or Signed:** English

### Education and Degrees
*   **Educated At:** Imperial College London
*   **Academic Degree:** Doctor of Science
*   **Honorary Degrees:**
    *   Honorary Doctor of the University of Rennes I (awarded 1991-06-19)
    *   Honorary Doctorate from INP Toulouse (awarded 1999-01-15)

### Professional Career
*   **Occupation:** Computer scientist, engineer
*   **Employer History:**
    *   English Electric (1957-1964)
    *   IBM (1964-1969)
    *   Newcastle University (from 1969)
*   **Field of Work:** Computer science, informatics, history of computer science
*   **Doctoral Students:** Luigi Vincenzo Mancini, Eike Best

### Memberships and Fellowships
*   **Association for Computing Machinery (ACM):**
    *   ACM Fellow (awarded 2008, effective 2009-01-15)
    *   Specific recognition: "For contributions to dependable computing and computer history"
*   **Learned Society of Wales:**
    *   Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales (2011)
*   **British Computer Society:**
    *   Fellow of the British Computer Society
*   **UK Computing Research Committee:** Member
*   **Society of Genealogists:** Fellow of the Society of Genealogists

### Awards and Recognition
*   **IEEE Emanuel R. Piore Award:** 2002
*   **Turing Talk:** 2000

### Identifiers
*   **ISNI:** 0000000110808167
*   **GND ID:** 108956175X
*   **VIAF ID:** 108213253
*   **IDREF ID:** 033086931
*   **NUKAT ID:** n97016569
*   **BIBSYS ID:** 90053936
*   **NL CR AUT ID:** mub2015867183
*   **DBLP Author ID:** r/BrianRandell
*   **SNAC ARK ID:** w6n457pv
*   **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n50053910
*   **Mathematics Genealogy Project ID:** 149829
*   **Bibliothèque Nationale de France ID:** 123988855
*   **Wikipedia Title:** Brian Randell
*   **Wikidata Description:** British computer scientist

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## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. [Source](https://www.ieee.org/content/dam/ieee-org/ieee/web/org/about/awards/piore_rl.pdf)
3. List of fellows of the Association for Computing Machinery
4. [Source](https://www.acm.org/media-center/2009/january/acm-names-44-fellows-for-contributions-to-computing-and-it)
5. Category:Fellows of the Society of Genealogists
6. [Source](https://www.learnedsociety.wales/fellowship/fellows/)
7. [Journal officiel de la République française](http://legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000000354866)
8. [Journal officiel de la République française](http://legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000000392970)
9. Mathematics Genealogy Project
10. International Standard Name Identifier
11. Virtual International Authority File
12. [Source](https://www.theiet.org/impact-society/thought-leadership/expert-panels/uk-computing-research-committee-ukcrc/members-of-ukcrc/ukcrc-members/)
13. [Brian Randell. SNAC](http://snaccooperative.org/ark:/99166/w6n457pv)
14. NUKAT
15. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
16. Catalogo of the National Library of India