# Martin Hofmann

> German computer scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q47531168](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q47531168)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/martin-hofmann

## Summary  
Martin Hofmann (1965 – 2018) was a German computer scientist and professor at Ludwig‑Maximilians‑Universität München. He was known for his research in theoretical computer science and for supervising a generation of doctoral students who went on to prominent academic careers.

## Biography  
- **Born:** 9 November 1965, Erlangen, Germany  
- **Nationality:** German  
- **Education:**  
  - Diplom in Computer Science, Friedrich‑Alexander‑Universität Erlangen‑Nürnberg (1984 – 1991)  
  - Master’s degree in Mathematics, University of Nice Sophia Antipolis (1987 – 1988)  
  - Studies at University of Edinburgh (dates not specified)  
- **Known for:** Research in theoretical computer science and mentorship of doctoral students  
- **Employer(s):** Ludwig‑Maximilians‑Universität München (LMU) – faculty member in the Department of Computer Science  
- **Field(s):** Computer science (theoretical computer science)  

## Contributions  
Martin Hofmann built a respected research program at LMU focused on the foundations of computation. He authored numerous peer‑reviewed papers in areas such as type theory, programming language semantics, and formal verification, contributing to the theoretical underpinnings of modern software engineering. As a doctoral advisor, he guided at least seven Ph.D. candidates—including Oliver Friedmann, Francis Tang, Andreas Martin Abel, Freiric Barral, Dulma Rodriguez, Steffen Jost, and Jan Hoffmann—who have themselves become active researchers and educators. His collaborative work with leading scholars such as Don Sannella and Gordon Plotkin positioned him within an influential network that shaped European theoretical computer science during the early 2000s. Hofmann’s publications are indexed in major bibliographic databases (DBLP, Google Scholar, ACM Digital Library) and continue to be cited in contemporary research.

## FAQs  
### Q: When and where was Martin Hofmann born?  
**A:** He was born on 9 November 1965 in Erlangen, Germany.  

### Q: What was Martin Hofmann’s primary academic affiliation?  
**A:** He was a professor in the Computer Science Department of Ludwig‑Maximilians‑Universität München.  

### Q: How did Martin Hofmann die?  
**A:** He died in an accidental mountaineering accident on 23 January 2018 on Mount Nikkō‑Shirane in Japan.  

## Why They Matter  
Martin Hofmann’s impact lies in both his scholarly output and his role as a mentor. His research advanced the theoretical foundations of programming languages, influencing how languages are designed and verified today. By supervising a cohort of doctoral students who have become prominent researchers, he multiplied his influence across institutions in Europe and beyond. The loss of his expertise in 2018 was felt deeply in the theoretical computer‑science community, underscoring the importance of his contributions to academic mentorship and foundational research.  

## Notable For  
- Holding a professorship at LMU Munich, one of Germany’s leading research universities.  
- Supervising doctoral students who have become notable computer scientists (e.g., Oliver Friedmann).  
- Collaborating with eminent scholars Gordon Plotkin and Don Sannella as doctoral advisors.  
- Publishing extensively in theoretical computer science, with works indexed in DBLP, ACM DL, and Google Scholar.  
- His tragic accidental death while mountaineering on Mount Nikkō‑Shirane in 2018.  

## Body  

### Early Life and Education  
Martin Hofmann grew up in Erlangen, Germany. He pursued a Diplom in computer science at the Friedrich‑Alexander‑Universität Erlangen‑Nürnberg, completing it in 1991. He then earned a master’s degree in mathematics at the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis (1987‑1988) and attended the University of Edinburgh for further studies.  

### Academic Career at LMU  
In the early 2000s, Hofmann joined the faculty of Ludwig‑Maximilians‑Universität München. He taught courses on programming language theory, type systems, and formal methods, while leading a research group that tackled core questions in computational logic. His work was regularly presented at international conferences and published in peer‑reviewed journals.  

### Research Focus  
Hofmann’s research centered on:  
- **Type Theory:** Developing type systems that ensure program correctness.  
- **Programming Language Semantics:** Formalizing the meaning of programming constructs.  
- **Formal Verification:** Creating methods to prove software properties mathematically.  

These contributions helped shape modern approaches to safe and reliable software development.  

### Mentorship and Doctoral Supervision  
As a doctoral advisor, Hofmann guided seven Ph.D. students, many of whom have continued to publish influential work. Notable protégés include:  
- **Oliver Friedmann:** Known for results on the complexity of linear programming.  
- **Jan Hoffmann:** Active in term rewriting and automated reasoning.  

His mentorship style emphasized rigorous proof techniques and interdisciplinary collaboration.  

### Death  
On 23 January 2018, while on a climbing expedition on Mount Nikkō‑Shirane in Japan, Hofmann suffered a fatal accident. The incident was reported by German media and marked a sudden loss for the LMU community.  

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## References

1. [Curriculum Vitae. 2014](https://www.tcs.ifi.lmu.de/mitarbeiter/martin-hofmann/cv-english)
2. [LMU-Professor auf Bergtour in Japan tödlich verunglückt. Süddeutsche Zeitung. 2018](http://www.sueddeutsche.de/muenchen/unfall-lmu-professor-auf-bergtour-in-japan-toedlich-verunglueckt-1.3855777)
3. Mathematics Genealogy Project
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. CiNii Research
6. Süddeutsche Zeitung. 2018
7. Open Library
8. CONOR.SI
9. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File