# Douglas Hartree

> British mathematician and physicist (1897-1958)

**Wikidata**: [Q451770](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q451770)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Hartree)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/douglas-hartree

## Summary
Douglas Hartree was a British mathematician, physicist, and computer scientist best known for developing the Hartree–Fock method, a foundational approach in quantum chemistry for approximating atomic and molecular structures. He was a pioneer in numerical analysis and early computing, contributing significantly to both theoretical physics and practical applications in computational science.

## Biography
- **Born**: March 27, 1897, in Cambridge, United Kingdom
- **Nationality**: British
- **Education**:
  - Bedales School (until 1915)
  - St John's College, Cambridge (1915–1917, 1919–1921)
  - Doctoral advisor: Ernest Rutherford
- **Known for**: Hartree–Fock method, numerical analysis, early computing
- **Employer(s)**:
  - University of Cambridge (1924–1929, 1946–1958)
  - Victoria University of Manchester (1929–1937)
  - Ministry of Supply (1939–1946)
- **Field(s)**: Theoretical physics, numerical analysis, atomic physics, mathematics, computer science

## Contributions
Douglas Hartree made groundbreaking contributions to computational science and quantum mechanics. His most notable work, the **Hartree–Fock method** (developed in the 1920s–1930s), revolutionized quantum chemistry by providing a practical way to approximate the electronic structure of atoms and molecules. This method remains a cornerstone of computational chemistry today.

Hartree also advanced **numerical analysis**, particularly in solving differential equations using mechanical and early electronic computers. During World War II, he worked on ballistics and other military applications at the Ministry of Supply. His collaborations with early computing pioneers helped bridge theoretical physics and practical computation.

Additionally, Hartree mentored several influential scientists, including **Charlotte Froese Fischer** (a pioneer in computational atomic physics) and **Aaron Klug** (Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry). His work laid the foundation for modern computational physics and quantum chemistry.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Hartree–Fock method?
A: The Hartree–Fock method is a computational approach in quantum chemistry used to approximate the wavefunction of a multi-electron system. It simplifies complex quantum mechanical calculations by treating electron interactions in an average field, making it feasible to model atomic and molecular structures.

### Q: Where did Douglas Hartree work?
A: Hartree held positions at the University of Cambridge, Victoria University of Manchester, and the UK Ministry of Supply. He also served as president of the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society (1939–1940).

### Q: Who were Douglas Hartree’s notable students?
A: His doctoral students included Charlotte Froese Fischer (computational atomic physics), Aaron Klug (Nobel laureate in Chemistry), and Oscar Buneman (plasma physics).

### Q: What awards did Douglas Hartree receive?
A: He was elected a **Fellow of the Royal Society** in 1932, recognizing his contributions to physics and computing.

### Q: How did Douglas Hartree die?
A: He died of **heart failure** on February 12, 1958, in Cambridge, UK.

## Why They Matter
Hartree’s work transformed computational science by making quantum mechanical calculations practical. The Hartree–Fock method enabled chemists and physicists to model atomic structures with unprecedented accuracy, shaping modern computational chemistry. His early adoption of mechanical and electronic computers for scientific problems also accelerated the integration of computing into physics and engineering.

Without Hartree’s contributions, fields like quantum chemistry and numerical analysis would have progressed more slowly, delaying advancements in materials science, drug discovery, and computational physics.

## Notable For
- Developing the **Hartree–Fock method**, a foundational technique in quantum chemistry.
- Pioneering **numerical analysis** and early computing applications in physics.
- Serving as **Beyer Professor of Applied Mathematics** at Victoria University of Manchester (1929–1937).
- Being elected a **Fellow of the Royal Society** (1932).
- Mentoring future Nobel laureates and leading computational scientists.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Douglas Rayner Hartree was born on **March 27, 1897**, in Cambridge, UK. He attended **Bedales School** before studying at **St John’s College, Cambridge** (1915–1917, 1919–1921), where he earned his degree under the supervision of **Ernest Rutherford**.

### Career and Research
Hartree began his academic career at the **University of Cambridge** (1924–1929) before moving to the **Victoria University of Manchester** as the **Beyer Professor of Applied Mathematics** (1929–1937). His work on the **Hartree–Fock method** (1920s–1930s) became a cornerstone of quantum chemistry, enabling practical calculations of atomic and molecular structures.

During **World War II**, he worked at the **Ministry of Supply** (1939–1946), applying numerical methods to ballistics and other military problems. He later returned to Cambridge, where he remained until his death.

### Legacy and Influence
Hartree’s contributions extended beyond theory. He was an early advocate for using **mechanical and electronic computers** in scientific research, collaborating with pioneers like **Alan Turing**. His students, including **Charlotte Froese Fischer** and **Aaron Klug**, carried forward his legacy in computational science.

### Death and Recognition
Hartree died of **heart failure** on **February 12, 1958**, in Cambridge. He was a **Fellow of the Royal Society** and left a lasting impact on physics, chemistry, and computing.

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## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Integrated Authority File
3. MacTutor History of Mathematics archive
4. Mathematics Genealogy Project
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. International Standard Name Identifier
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. CiNii Research
9. SNAC
10. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
12. CONOR.SI