# James L. Dolby

> American computer scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q116792004](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q116792004)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/james-l-dolby

## Summary
James L. Dolby (also known as James Louis Dolby) was an American computer scientist and university teacher. He worked at San José State University from 1966 until 1985 and was affiliated with Lockheed Corporation in 1963. He earned a PhD from Stanford University in 1966 under doctoral advisor Herman Chernoff.

## Biography
- Nationality: American
- Education: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Stanford University (completed by 1966); doctoral advisor: Herman Chernoff
- Employer(s): Lockheed Corporation (point in time: 1963); San José State University (1966–1985)
- Field(s): Computer science
- Died: 1985

## Contributions
The provided sources identify James L. Dolby as an American computer scientist and university teacher with documented roles in both industry and academia. In 1963, he was affiliated with Lockheed Corporation (as referenced in an ACM publication record). He later joined San José State University in 1966 and remained there until 1985, indicating a long-term academic appointment and sustained involvement in university teaching during that period.

Dolby’s formal research training is documented through his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from Stanford University, completed by 1966, with Herman Chernoff listed as his doctoral advisor. This places his doctoral formation within Stanford’s academic environment and connects him to Chernoff’s supervision. Beyond these affiliations and credentials, the supplied material does not specify particular publications, systems, patents, or named research results attributable to Dolby, so no further concrete outputs (titles, years of works, or impacts) can be reliably summarized here from the given sources alone.

## FAQs
### Q: Who was James L. Dolby?
A: James L. Dolby (James Louis Dolby) was an American computer scientist and university teacher. He worked at San José State University from 1966 to 1985 and had an earlier affiliation with Lockheed Corporation in 1963.

### Q: Where did James L. Dolby study?
A: He earned a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) at Stanford University, completed by 1966. His doctoral advisor was Herman Chernoff.

### Q: Where did James L. Dolby work?
A: He worked at San José State University from 1966 until 1985. He was also affiliated with Lockheed Corporation at a documented point in time in 1963.

### Q: When did James L. Dolby die?
A: He died in 1985.

## Why They Matter
James L. Dolby matters in the historical record as a computer scientist who bridged doctoral training at Stanford University with a long academic tenure at San José State University. His PhD completion by 1966 and supervision by Herman Chernoff establish a clear academic lineage and indicate advanced research training at a major U.S. institution. His subsequent employment at San José State University from 1966 to 1985 reflects nearly two decades of sustained participation in higher education, where his primary impact—based on the available sources—would have been through university teaching and departmental contribution over time.

The sources also place him in an industry context via a 1963 affiliation with Lockheed Corporation, suggesting experience in an applied or industrial setting prior to (or alongside) his academic career. While the provided material does not enumerate specific technical inventions, publications, or named research contributions, the documented combination of industry affiliation, doctoral training, and long-term university employment indicates a career positioned to influence students and academic programs during a formative period for computer science in U.S. universities.

## Notable For
- American computer scientist and university teacher.
- PhD from Stanford University (completed by 1966).
- Doctoral advisor: Herman Chernoff.
- Faculty/employment at San José State University (1966–1985).
- Affiliation with Lockheed Corporation (documented point in time: 1963).

## Body

### Identity and Names
- Name: James L. Dolby
- Alias: James Louis Dolby
- Description: American computer scientist
- Sex or gender: male
- Instance of: human

### Education
- Stanford University
  - Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
  - Completion/end time: 1966
  - Doctoral advisor: Herman Chernoff

### Career and Affiliations
- Lockheed Corporation
  - Affiliation documented at: 1963
- San José State University
  - Employment period: 1966–1985

### Occupation and Field
- Occupation: computer scientist; university teacher
- Field: computer science

### Death
- Death date: 1985

### Identifiers
- DBLP author ID: 76/741

## References

1. [Source](http://www.math.sjsu.edu/~jackson/A%20History%20of%20the%20Mathematics%20Department%20at%20San%20Jose%20State.htm)
2. [Source](https://purl.stanford.edu/hv459my8582)