# Frederick Burtis Thompson

> American logician and computer scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q102113666](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102113666)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/frederick-burtis-thompson

## Summary
Frederick Burtis Thompson was an American logician and computer scientist recognized for his contributions to academia and industry. He served as a professor at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and was a doctoral student of the renowned logician Alfred Tarski. His career spanned significant roles at the RAND Corporation and General Electric before his long tenure at Caltech.

## Biography
- **Born:** July 26, 1922
- **Died:** May 27, 2014
- **Nationality:** United States
- **Education:** 
  - Doctor of Philosophy, University of California, Berkeley (1952)
  - University of California, Los Angeles
- **Known for:** Contributions to logic and computer science; doctoral student of Alfred Tarski.
- **Employer(s):** 
  - Douglas (1940)
  - RAND Corporation (1951–1957)
  - General Electric (1957–1965)
  - California Institute of Technology (1965–present/death)
- **Field(s):** Computer Science, Logic

## Contributions
Frederick Burtis Thompson's career bridged the gap between pure mathematical logic and practical computer science application. After receiving his Ph.D. from UC Berkeley under the supervision of Alfred Tarski, a pioneer in logic, Thompson applied his expertise in industrial settings. He worked for the RAND Corporation from 1951 to 1957, a period crucial for the development of early computing and systems analysis. Following this, he joined General Electric (1957–1965), where he likely worked on early computing applications within the industry.

In 1965, Thompson joined the faculty of the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where he established a significant academic legacy. His primary contribution to the field includes the mentorship of the next generation of computer scientists. He supervised doctoral students such as Peter Szolovits, a prominent researcher in artificial intelligence and medical computing; David B. Benson; and Richard Henry Bigelow. His work helped formalize computer science education and research within a top-tier scientific institution.

## FAQs

### Q: Who was Frederick Burtis Thompson's doctoral advisor?
A: His doctoral advisor was Alfred Tarski, one of the most significant logicians of the 20th century.

### Q: Where did Frederick Burtis Thompson teach?
A: He spent the majority of his academic career at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), starting in 1965.

### Q: What industrial experience did Frederick Burtis Thompson have?
A: Before joining Caltech, he worked for the RAND Corporation (1951–1957) and General Electric (1957–1965). He also worked for Douglas in 1940.

### Q: Who were some of Frederick Burtis Thompson's notable students?
A: He supervised Peter Szolovits, David B. Benson, and Richard Henry Bigelow.

## Why They Matter
Frederick Burtis Thompson matters as a pivotal figure who transmitted the rigorous traditions of mathematical logic—rooted in the work of his advisor, Alfred Tarski—into the burgeoning field of computer science. His transition from the RAND Corporation and General Electric to Caltech places him at the intersection of defense/industrial research and academic theory during the formative years of computing. By training doctoral students who went on to have significant careers, such as Peter Szolovits (known for AI in medicine), Thompson played a vital role in shaping the intellectual lineage of American computer science. His long tenure at Caltech helped cement the institution's role in the discipline.

## Notable For
- **Academic Lineage:** Being a doctoral student of Alfred Tarski, a giant in the field of logic.
- **Caltech Tenure:** Serving as a long-time professor at the California Institute of Technology.
- **Industry Roles:** Holding positions at RAND Corporation and General Electric during the 1950s and 60s.
- **Mentorship:** Supervising notable computer scientists like Peter Szolovits and David B. Benson.
- **Scholarly IDs:** Recognized in the Mathematics Genealogy Project (ID: 19855) and DBLP (ID: 53/983).

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Frederick Burtis Thompson was born on July 26, 1922. He pursued higher education in California, attending the University of California, Los Angeles. He subsequently enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned his Doctor of Philosophy in 1952. His dissertation was supervised by Alfred Tarski.

### Industrial Career
Before and during his doctoral studies, Thompson acquired substantial industrial experience.
- **1940:** He worked for "Douglas" (referenced in employment history).
- **1951–1957:** He served as an employee of the RAND Corporation.
- **1957–1965:** He worked for General Electric.

### Academic Career at Caltech
In 1965, Thompson joined the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). He held the position of university teacher and researcher there for the remainder of his career. His role involved teaching computer science and supervising Ph.D. candidates.

### Doctoral Supervision
Thompson advised several students who contributed to the field of computer science:
- **Peter Szolovits:** An American computer scientist focused on AI and medicine.
- **David B. Benson:** An American computer science professor.
- **Richard Henry Bigelow:** Completed a thesis under Thompson's guidance.

### Death
Frederick Burtis Thompson passed away on May 27, 2014.

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## References

1. Mathematics Genealogy Project
2. [Source](https://www.caltech.edu/about/news/frederick-b-thompson-43160)
3. [Source](https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:12122017-105710635)