# John McCarthy

> American computer scientist and cognitive scientist (1927-2011)

**Wikidata**: [Q92739](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q92739)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_McCarthy_(computer_scientist))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/john-mccarthy

## Summary
John McCarthy was an American computer scientist and cognitive scientist (1927–2011) who pioneered artificial intelligence (AI) and co-developed the Lisp programming language. He is best known for coining the term "artificial intelligence" and for his foundational work in AI research, including the Dartmouth workshop, which is widely regarded as the birth of the field.

## Biography
- Born: 1927-09-04, Boston, United States
- Nationality: United States
- Education:
  - Bachelor of Science in mathematics, California Institute of Technology (1948)
  - Doctor of Philosophy in mathematics, Princeton University (1951)
- Known for: Pioneering artificial intelligence, co-developing Lisp, and coining the term "artificial intelligence"
- Employer(s):
  - Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1951–1962)
  - Stanford University (1962–2000)
- Field(s): Computer science, artificial intelligence, cognitive science

## Contributions
John McCarthy made groundbreaking contributions to computer science and AI. In 1958, he co-developed Lisp, a functional programming language based on lambda calculus, which became a foundational tool in AI research. He also co-organized the Dartmouth workshop in 1956, which is widely credited as the birth of artificial intelligence as a formal field of study. McCarthy's work on time-sharing systems and the concept of microprogramming further advanced computer architecture. He published numerous influential papers and books, including *Lisp 1.5 Programmer's Manual* (1962) and *Artificial Intelligence: An MIT Perspective* (1968). His research on formal logic and automated reasoning laid the groundwork for modern AI systems.

## FAQs
### Q: What is John McCarthy best known for?
A: John McCarthy is best known for coining the term "artificial intelligence" and co-developing the Lisp programming language, which became essential for AI research.

### Q: Where did John McCarthy work?
A: McCarthy worked at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 1951 to 1962 and then at Stanford University until his retirement in 2000.

### Q: What was the Dartmouth workshop?
A: The Dartmouth workshop, organized by McCarthy in 1956, is considered the birth of artificial intelligence as a formal field of study, bringing together leading researchers to discuss the potential of machines exhibiting intelligent behavior.

### Q: What awards did John McCarthy receive?
A: McCarthy received the Turing Award (1971), the National Medal of Science (1990), the Kyoto Prize in Advanced Technology (1988), and the Benjamin Franklin Medal (2003), among others.

### Q: What was Lisp, and why was it significant?
A: Lisp, developed by McCarthy in 1958, is a functional programming language based on lambda calculus, which became a foundational tool for AI research due to its flexibility and symbolic manipulation capabilities.

## Why They Matter
John McCarthy's work laid the foundation for modern artificial intelligence. His coining of the term "artificial intelligence" and the Dartmouth workshop established AI as a distinct field of study. The Lisp programming language, which he co-developed, became a cornerstone of AI research. McCarthy's research on formal logic and automated reasoning influenced generations of AI scientists. His contributions to computer architecture, including time-sharing systems and microprogramming, also advanced the field. McCarthy's legacy continues to shape AI research and applications today.

## Notable For
- Coined the term "artificial intelligence" and organized the Dartmouth workshop (1956), which is widely regarded as the birth of AI.
- Co-developed Lisp (1958), a foundational programming language for AI research.
- Received the Turing Award (1971) for his pioneering contributions to computer science.
- Published influential works, including *Lisp 1.5 Programmer's Manual* (1962) and *Artificial Intelligence: An MIT Perspective* (1968).
- Advised numerous doctoral students, including Raj Reddy, Barbara Liskov, and Ruzena Bajcsy, who became leading figures in AI and computer science.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
John McCarthy was born on September 4, 1927, in Boston, Massachusetts. He earned a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from the California Institute of Technology in 1948 and a Doctor of Philosophy in mathematics from Princeton University in 1951. His doctoral advisor was Donald C. Spencer.

### Career and Research
McCarthy began his career at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1951, where he worked on time-sharing systems and microprogramming. In 1956, he co-organized the Dartmouth workshop, which is considered the birth of artificial intelligence. The workshop brought together leading researchers to discuss the potential of machines exhibiting intelligent behavior, marking the formal establishment of AI as a field of study.

In 1958, McCarthy co-developed Lisp, a functional programming language based on lambda calculus. Lisp became a foundational tool for AI research due to its flexibility and symbolic manipulation capabilities. He published *Lisp 1.5 Programmer's Manual* in 1962, which became a standard reference for the language.

McCarthy moved to Stanford University in 1962, where he continued his research and advised numerous doctoral students, including Raj Reddy, Barbara Liskov, and Ruzena Bajcsy. He published *Artificial Intelligence: An MIT Perspective* in 1968, which provided a comprehensive overview of the field.

### Awards and Recognition
McCarthy received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to computer science and AI. He was awarded the Turing Award in 1971 for his pioneering work in AI. He also received the National Medal of Science in 1990, the Kyoto Prize in Advanced Technology in 1988, and the Benjamin Franklin Medal in 2003. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence.

### Legacy
John McCarthy's work laid the foundation for modern artificial intelligence. His coining of the term "artificial intelligence" and the Dartmouth workshop established AI as a distinct field of study. The Lisp programming language, which he co-developed, became a cornerstone of AI research. McCarthy's research on formal logic and automated reasoning influenced generations of AI scientists. His contributions to computer architecture, including time-sharing systems and microprogramming, also advanced the field. McCarthy's legacy continues to shape AI research and applications today.

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## References

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15. [Source](https://www.latimes.com/nation/la-xpm-2011-oct-27-la-me-john-mccarthy-20111027-story.html)
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19. [Source](http://news.stanford.edu/news/2011/october/john-mccarthy-obit-102511.html)
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