# Irving S. Reed > American mathematician (1923–2012) **Wikidata**: [Q92868](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q92868) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irving_S._Reed) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/irving-s-reed ## Summary Irving S. Reed was an American mathematician, computer scientist, and engineer. Affiliated with the University of Southern California, he was a prominent figure in information theory and computing, recognized globally for his contributions with the Claude E. Shannon Award and the IEEE Richard W. Hamming Medal. ## Biography - **Born:** November 12, 1923, in Seattle, USA - **Died:** September 11, 2012, in Santa Monica, USA - **Nationality:** United States - **Education:** California Institute of Technology (Doctoral Advisor: Aristotle Michal) - **Known for:** Contributions recognized by the IEEE and National Academy of Engineering - **Employer(s):** University of Southern California - **Field(s):** Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering ## Contributions Based on the provided records, Irving S. Reed's career was marked by significant academic mentorship and peer recognition in the fields of electrical engineering and computer science. He served as a doctoral advisor to several students, including Earl Eugene Swartzlander, Jr., Robert Martin Storwick, and Donald G. Childers, shaping the next generation of engineers and scientists. His professional standing was confirmed by his membership in the National Academy of Engineering and his status as a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Reed received multiple prestigious awards highlighting his impact on technology and information theory. In 1982, he was honored with the Claude E. Shannon Award. In 1989, he received both the IEEE Richard W. Hamming Medal and the Charles Babbage Award. Later, in 1995, he was recognized with the IEEE Masaru Ibuka Consumer Electronics Award. He also held an Erdős number of 2, indicating his collaborative proximity to the prolific mathematician Paul Erdős. ## FAQs ### Q: What major awards did Irving S. Reed receive? A: Reed received several top honors in his field, including the Claude E. Shannon Award (1982), the IEEE Richard W. Hamming Medal (1989), the Charles Babbage Award (1989), and the IEEE Masaru Ibuka Consumer Electronics Award (1995). ### Q: Where did Irving S. Reed work and study? A: He was employed by the University of Southern California and received his education at the California Institute of Technology, where he completed his doctorate under Aristotle Michal. ### Q: Was Irving S. Reed a member of any prestigious organizations? A: Yes, he was a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). ## Why They Matter Irving S. Reed's significance is evidenced by the highest levels of recognition accorded to him by the engineering and mathematics communities. Winning the Shannon Award and the Hamming Medal places him in an elite tier of contributors to information theory and computer engineering. His election to the National Academy of Engineering further solidifies his legacy as a leader who made distinct contributions to engineering research and practice. Through his role as a professor at the University of Southern California, he directly influenced the field through his mentorship of doctoral candidates who went on to have their own careers in science and engineering. ## Notable For - **Claude E. Shannon Award Winner (1982):** A premier award in information theory. - **IEEE Richard W. Hamming Medal Recipient (1989):** Recognizing exceptional contributions to information sciences and systems. - **National Academy of Engineering Member:** Elected for engineering distinction. - **Doctoral Lineage:** Served as advisor to notable engineers such as Earl Eugene Swartzlander, Jr. - **Academic Career:** Long-standing affiliation with the University of Southern California. ## Body ### Early Life and Education Irving Stoy Reed was born on November 12, 1923, in Seattle, Washington. He pursued his higher education at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), a private research university in Pasadena. During his time there, he studied under Aristotle Michal, serving as Michal's doctoral student. ### Academic Career Reed spent a significant portion of his professional career at the University of Southern California (USC). As a member of the faculty, he occupied himself with the study and practice of computer science, mathematics, and engineering. He guided the next generation of scholars, acting as the doctoral advisor for students including Earl Eugene Swartzlander, Jr., Robert Martin Storwick, and Donald G. Childers. ### Professional Recognition and Awards Reed's work earned him significant accolades. He was a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and a member of the National Academy of Engineering (Member ID: 28691). His specific awards included: * **1982:** Claude E. Shannon Award * **1989:** IEEE Richard W. Hamming Medal * **1989:** Charles Babbage Award * **1995:** IEEE Masaru Ibuka Consumer Electronics Award ### Legacy Reed passed away on September 11, 2012, in Santa Monica, California. His professional identity is preserved through various author IDs, including his Mathematics Genealogy Project ID (10379) and his Erdős number of 2. He is identified in library systems such as the Library of Congress (ID: n99021467) and VIAF (ID: 4261991). ## References 1. [Source](https://www.ieee.org/content/dam/ieee-org/ieee/web/org/about/awards/recipients/hamming-rl.pdf) 2. [Source](https://corporate-awards.ieee.org/wp-content/uploads/ibuka-rl.pdf) 3. [Source](https://www.itsoc.org/profile/8796) 4. [Source](https://www.computer.org/volunteering/awards/babbage) 5. Mathematics Genealogy Project 6. Virtual International Authority File 7. [Viterbi School of Engineering – In Memoriam: Professor Emeritus Irving S. Reed, 88](http://viterbi.usc.edu/news/news/2012/in-memoriam-professor.htm) 8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 9. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File