# Michael G. Thomason

> Ph.D. Duke University 1973

**Wikidata**: [Q102200538](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102200538)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/michael-g-thomason

## Summary
Michael G. Thomason is a computer scientist and Professor Emeritus at the University of Tennessee. He earned his Ph.D. from Duke University in 1973 and is recognized for his contributions to the field of computer science education and research. Thomason is also known for mentoring doctoral students who have become significant figures in the industry, including Henri Casanova and James Anthony Whittaker.

## Biography
- **Education:** Ph.D., Duke University (1973)
- **Employer(s):** University of Tennessee (Professor Emeritus)
- **Field(s):** Computer Science
- **Known for:** Academic research and mentorship of computer scientists
- **Gender:** Male

## Contributions
Michael G. Thomason’s career is defined by his long-standing academic service and his role in advancing computer science through mentorship. As a faculty member at the University of Tennessee, he contributed to the graduate program by supervising Ph.D. candidates. Two of his notable doctoral students include Henri Casanova, who earned his Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee in 1998, and James Anthony Whittaker.

Thomason's academic lineage is tracked through the Mathematics Genealogy Project (ID: 44035), highlighting his position within the broader scholarly tree of computer science. His work is indexed by major academic databases, including the ACM Digital Library (Author ID: 81410595650), Google Scholar (ID: AAJ9Z94AAAAJ), and the Mathematical Reviews Author Database (ID: 203328). While specific research papers are not detailed in the provided source, his status as a Professor Emeritus and the successful graduation of Ph.D. students underscore a career dedicated to the development of the field and the training of future researchers.

## FAQs

### Q: Where did Michael G. Thomason receive his education?
A: Michael G. Thomason received his Ph.D. from Duke University in 1973.

### Q: What is Michael G. Thomason's current academic position?
A: He holds the position of Professor Emeritus at the University of Tennessee.

### Q: Who are some notable students supervised by Michael G. Thomason?
A: He supervised Henri Casanova and James Anthony Whittaker during their doctoral studies.

### Q: Is Michael G. Thomason associated with any professional identifiers?
A: Yes, he holds several identifiers including an ISNI (000000011660363X), a VIAF ID (65257737), and a Library of Congress Authority ID (n78013912).

## Why They Matter
Michael G. Thomason matters for his role in shaping the landscape of computer science academia, particularly through his tenure at the University of Tennessee. Having earned his doctorate in the early 1970s—a formative era for computer science as a discipline—he participated in the establishment and growth of computer science education within the American university system.

His significance is further cemented by his academic offspring. By mentoring Ph.D. students like Henri Casanova, a recognized researcher in high-performance computing and distributed systems, Thomason influenced subsequent generations of technology and research. His inclusion in extensive bibliographic systems like the Library of Congress and the ACM Digital Library confirms that his scholarly output has been formally archived and remains a reference point within the scientific community. His career represents the vital academic infrastructure that supports ongoing innovation in computer science.

## Notable For
- **Professor Emeritus:** Holding the highest honorary rank at the University of Tennessee.
- **Doctoral Lineage:** Serving as the advisor to Henri Casanova and James Anthony Whittaker.
- **Early Ph.D.:** Earning a Computer Science Ph.D. in 1973, during the early academic formalization of the field.
- **Academic Recognition:** Holding a Library of Congress Authority ID (n78013912) and an entry in the Mathematics Genealogy Project.

## Body

### Academic Background
Michael Gary Thomason pursued his higher education at Duke University, a private research institution in Durham, North Carolina. He successfully completed his Ph.D. in 1973.

### Professional Career
Thomason is primarily affiliated with the University of Tennessee. His career culminated in his appointment as Professor Emeritus, a title indicating distinguished service and a permanent affiliation with the institution upon retirement. His professional identity is categorized under the class of "computer scientist," operating within the industrial and service sectors.

### Mentorship and Doctoral Students
Thomason played a direct role in the education of the next generation of computer scientists. His mentorship is documented through his doctoral students:
*   **Henri Casanova:** Completed his Ph.D. at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1998.
*   **James Anthony Whittaker:** Also listed as a doctoral student supervised by Thomason.

### Identifiers and Bibliography
Thomason’s scholarly work and identity are preserved across multiple international databases:
*   **ISNI:** 000000011660363X
*   **VIAF ID:** 65257737
*   **NUKAT ID:** n2007000746
*   **Library of Congress:** n78013912
*   **Google Knowledge Graph:** /g/11gbxgmphw
*   **ACM Digital Library:** 81410595650
*   **Mathematics Genealogy Project:** 44035

## References

1. [Source](https://www.eecs.utk.edu/people/michael-thomason/)
2. Mathematics Genealogy Project