# Heinz Rutishauser

> mathematician and computer scientist (1918–1970)

**Wikidata**: [Q92710](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q92710)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinz_Rutishauser)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/heinz-rutishauser

## Summary
Heinz Rutishauser was a Swiss mathematician and computer scientist who lived from 1918 to 1970. He is best known for his pioneering work in numerical analysis and as one of the creators of the ALGOL programming language. His contributions helped lay the foundations for modern computer programming and computational mathematics.

## Biography
- Born: January 30, 1918, in Weinfelden, Switzerland
- Nationality: Swiss
- Education: ETH Zurich (1936-1940), Doctorate (1950)
- Known for: ALGOL programming language, Superplan, numerical analysis
- Employer(s): ETH Zurich (1948-1970)
- Field(s): Computer science, numerical analysis, mathematics

## Contributions
Heinz Rutishauser made fundamental contributions to computer science and numerical analysis during the formative years of computing. He was one of the key developers of ALGOL 58 and ALGOL 60, which became influential programming languages that introduced many concepts still used in modern programming. His work on Superplan (1951) was an early attempt at creating a high-level programming language. As a professor at ETH Zurich, he supervised numerous doctoral students who went on to become prominent researchers themselves. His research in numerical analysis helped advance computational methods for solving mathematical problems, particularly in areas like function approximation and numerical integration. His academic publications and teaching shaped a generation of computer scientists and mathematicians in Europe.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Heinz Rutishauser most famous for?
A: Heinz Rutishauser is most famous for being one of the creators of the ALGOL programming language family and for his pioneering work in numerical analysis and computer science.

### Q: Where did Heinz Rutishauser work?
A: Heinz Rutishauser worked at ETH Zurich from 1948 until his death in 1970, where he was a professor and researcher in mathematics and computer science.

### Q: What was Heinz Rutishauser's doctoral thesis about?
A: His doctoral thesis was titled "Über Folgen und Scharen von analytischen und meromorphen Funktionen mehrerer Variabeln, sowie von analytischen Abbildungen" (On sequences and families of analytic and meromorphic functions of several variables, as well as analytic mappings).

## Why They Matter
Heinz Rutishauser's work was crucial in establishing computer science as a legitimate academic discipline and in developing the tools that made modern computing possible. His contributions to ALGOL helped create a standardized way of programming that influenced virtually all subsequent programming languages. The concepts he helped develop in numerical analysis remain fundamental to scientific computing today. As an educator at ETH Zurich, he trained many students who became leaders in the field, creating a lasting academic lineage. His research bridged pure mathematics and practical computation at a time when the field was still emerging, helping to establish the theoretical foundations that underpin everything from weather forecasting to financial modeling today.

## Notable For
- Co-creator of ALGOL 58 and ALGOL 60 programming languages
- Developed Superplan, an early high-level programming language (1951)
- Supervised 11 doctoral students who became prominent researchers
- Published influential work in numerical analysis and computational mathematics
- Established computer science curriculum at ETH Zurich

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Heinz Rutishauser was born on January 30, 1918, in Weinfelden, Switzerland. He studied at ETH Zurich from 1936 to 1940, laying the foundation for his future career in mathematics and computation.

### Academic Career
Rutishauser joined ETH Zurich as a faculty member in 1948 and remained there until his death in 1970. He earned his doctorate in 1950 with a thesis on analytic and meromorphic functions, demonstrating his strong mathematical background before turning to computational problems.

### Programming Language Development
His most significant contribution was to the development of ALGOL (ALGOrithmic Language), where he worked on both ALGOL 58 and ALGOL 60 versions. These languages introduced block structure, nested procedures, and other concepts that became standard in programming languages. He also created Superplan in 1951, an early attempt at a high-level programming language.

### Numerical Analysis Research
Rutishauser made important contributions to numerical analysis, particularly in developing algorithms for solving mathematical problems computationally. His work helped establish computational mathematics as a distinct field and provided tools still used in scientific computing.

### Academic Legacy
As a professor, he supervised 11 doctoral students between 1957 and 1969, including notable researchers like Jean Descloux, Hermann Brunner, and Max Rössler. His academic lineage continues through his students' work and their students' work.

### Publications and Recognition
His publications in numerical analysis and computer science were widely cited and influential. He received recognition through various academic identifiers and his work is preserved in multiple academic archives at ETH Zurich.

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## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. MacTutor History of Mathematics archive
3. Historical Dictionary of Switzerland
4. Mathematics Genealogy Project
5. International Standard Name Identifier
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. [Source](https://vls.hsa.ethz.ch/client/link/de/archiv/einheit/d3e20802b1d6439c93df4778a9986909)
8. [Source](https://vls.hsa.ethz.ch/client/link/de/archiv/einheit/b9862300a60d4daeb6e83728d73c67b2)
9. [Source](https://vls.hsa.ethz.ch/client/link/de/archiv/einheit/7831c775d2f8433980d540a1518d74a7)
10. CONOR.SI
11. Autoritats UB
12. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File