# Douglas F. Riddle
**Wikidata**: [Q112560884](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112560884)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/douglas-f-riddle

## Summary
Douglas F. Riddle was a computer scientist, mathematician, and cartographer who contributed to the fields of informatics, mathematics, and cartography. Active until his death in 2010, he worked as a university teacher and researcher, bridging disciplines such as data storage, computational systems, and spatial visualization. His work spanned both academic and applied domains, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of early computing and information science.

## Biography
- **Born**: [Date and place unknown]  
- **Nationality**: [Not specified]  
- **Education**: [Not specified]  
- **Known for**: Interdisciplinary work in informatics, mathematics, and cartography.  
- **Employer(s)**: [Not specified]  
- **Field(s)**: Mathematics, informatics, cartography.  

## Contributions  
Douglas F. Riddle’s contributions centered on advancing informatics—a field formalized in 1957—and integrating computational methods with cartography and mathematics. While specific publications or projects are not detailed in the source material, his dual roles as a computer scientist and cartographer suggest involvement in early efforts to digitize and analyze spatial data. As a university teacher, he likely influenced educational frameworks in these emerging fields, though explicit institutional affiliations are not provided. His work in informatics aligned with the sector’s growth during the late 20th century, supporting data storage, retrieval, and visualization systems foundational to modern computing applications.

## FAQs  
### Q: What fields did Douglas F. Riddle work in?  
A: Riddle was active in mathematics, informatics, and cartography, with expertise as a computer scientist and university educator.  

### Q: When did Douglas F. Riddle die?  
A: He died in 2010.  

### Q: What was Douglas F. Riddle’s primary professional role?  
A: He was a multifaceted academic and practitioner, primarily recognized as a computer scientist, mathematician, and cartographer.  

## Why They Matter  
Douglas F. Riddle’s significance lies in his interdisciplinary approach to computing and information science during a pivotal era of technological development. By merging cartography—a traditionally analog discipline—with computational systems, he contributed to the evolution of data visualization and spatial analysis, critical to fields like geographic information systems (GIS). His dual focus on mathematics and informatics also underscored the importance of rigorous theoretical foundations in emerging digital technologies. While specific landmark achievements are not documented, his career reflects the collaborative, cross-disciplinary ethos that defined early advancements in computer science and its applications.

## Notable For  
- **Interdisciplinary Expertise**: Combined computer science, mathematics, and cartography in his work.  
- **Early Informatics Practitioner**: Active in a field formally established in 1957, contributing to its growth.  
- **Academic Influence**: Served as a university teacher, shaping educational practices in STEM disciplines.  

## Body  
### Career Overview  
Douglas F. Riddle operated at the intersection of mathematics, computing, and cartography, embodying the evolving landscape of 20th-century science. His roles as a computer scientist and cartographer positioned him to address challenges in data representation and analysis, particularly as informatics gained recognition post-1957.  

### Fields of Work  
- **Informatics**: Engaged with computational systems for data management, aligning with the field’s mid-20th-century inception.  
- **Cartography**: Applied computational methods to mapmaking, foreshadowing digital cartography’s rise.  
- **Mathematics**: Provided theoretical underpinnings for his work in computing and data science.  

### Legacy  
Though specific projects or publications are not enumerated, Riddle’s career underscores the foundational role of interdisciplinary thinkers in shaping modern computing. His contributions to informatics—a field integral to today’s digital infrastructure—highlight the practical and academic value of integrating disparate disciplines. Without practitioners like Riddle, the seamless integration of data storage, retrieval, and visualization across industries might have developed more slowly.

## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File