# Peter Naur

> Danish computer scientist (1928–2016) and Turing Award winner (2005); author of 'Programming as Theory Building' (1985); co-editor of the 1968 NATO Software Engineering Conference report

**Wikidata**: [Q92618](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q92618)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Naur)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/peter-naur

## Summary
Peter Naur (1928–2016) was a Danish computer scientist, programmer, and university teacher who also worked in astronomy. He is known for his role in the development of the programming language ALGOL 60 and for his long academic career at the University of Copenhagen. He received major honors including the Turing Award (2005).

## Biography
- Born: 1928-10-25 (Frederiksberg)
- Nationality: Kingdom of Denmark
- Education: University of Copenhagen; Doctor of Philosophy
- Known for: Development of ALGOL 60 (member of the ALGOL family of programming languages)
- Employer(s): Regnecentralen (1959–1969); University of Copenhagen (1969–1998); Technical University of Denmark
- Field(s): computer science; informatics; computer programming; astronomy

## Contributions
Peter Naur is associated with the development of **ALGOL 60**, a member of the **ALGOL** family of imperative programming languages. His work connects directly to the creation and development of a major programming-language standard that influenced later language design and programming practice.

Naur held academic and research roles across Danish institutions. He worked at **Regnecentralen** from **1959 to 1969**, and later at the **University of Copenhagen** from **1969 to 1998**, where he was affiliated with the **University of Copenhagen Department of Computer Science** and held the position of **professor**. His fields of work include **computer science**, **informatics**, and **computer programming**, alongside **astronomy**.

He also authored a notable work (published **1985**) tagged in the source material under **philosophy of technology**. In addition to his publications and standards-related contributions, he trained and supervised researchers: the source material lists **Per Brinch Hansen** as a student, and **Elin Rønby Pedersen** as a doctoral student.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Peter Naur best known for?
A: He is known for his role in the development of **ALGOL 60**, a key language in the ALGOL family of imperative programming languages. He was also a professor affiliated with the University of Copenhagen’s Department of Computer Science.

### Q: Where did Peter Naur work?
A: He worked at **Regnecentralen** (1959–1969) and at the **University of Copenhagen** (1969–1998). The source material also lists the **Technical University of Denmark** as an employer.

### Q: What awards did Peter Naur receive?
A: He received the **Turing Award** (2005), the **Computer Pioneer Award** (1986), the **G.A. Hagemann Gold Medal** (1963), and the **Rosenkjær Award** (1966).

### Q: What did Peter Naur study and where?
A: He was educated at the **University of Copenhagen** and held a **Doctor of Philosophy** degree.

## Why They Matter
Peter Naur matters because he is directly linked in the source material to the development of **ALGOL 60**, a foundational programming language within the **ALGOL** family. Work on a language standard like ALGOL 60 represents a concrete, field-shaping contribution: it formalizes how programs can be expressed and shared, and it helps define common practices for programmers and researchers.

His impact also comes from institution-building and teaching. Naur served as a **professor** and was affiliated with the **University of Copenhagen Department of Computer Science**, with a long tenure at the University of Copenhagen (1969–1998). Through supervision and mentorship, he influenced later computer scientists; the source material identifies **Per Brinch Hansen** as a student and **Elin Rønby Pedersen** as a doctoral student.

Recognition by major awards—including the **Turing Award (2005)** and the **Computer Pioneer Award (1986)**—signals that his contributions were considered significant within computing history. His documented fields of work spanning **computer science**, **informatics**, **computer programming**, and **astronomy** also show a broad technical profile.

## Notable For
- Associated with the development of **ALGOL 60** (programming language in the ALGOL family).
- **Turing Award** recipient (2005).
- **Computer Pioneer Award** recipient (1986).
- Professor affiliated with the **University of Copenhagen Department of Computer Science**; employed at the **University of Copenhagen** (1969–1998).
- Awards including **G.A. Hagemann Gold Medal** (1963) and **Rosenkjær Award** (1966).

## Body
### Identity and roles
- Name: Peter Naur
- Description (source): Danish computer scientist (1928–2016)
- Occupations (as listed): computer scientist; programmer; university teacher; astronomer
- Sex or gender: male

### Life events
- Birth: 1928-10-25 in Frederiksberg
- Death: 2016-01-03 in Herlev
- Cause of death: disease
- Manner of death: natural causes
- Citizenship: Kingdom of Denmark

### Education and academic standing
- Educated at: University of Copenhagen
- Academic degree: Doctor of Philosophy
- Position held: professor
- Affiliation: University of Copenhagen Department of Computer Science

### Employment
- Regnecentralen (start: 1959; end: 1969)
- University of Copenhagen (start: 1969; end: 1998)
- Technical University of Denmark (listed as employer; no dates provided)

### Fields of work
- Computer science
- Informatics
- Computer programming
- Astronomy

### Work and outputs
- Created / developed by (linked work): **ALGOL 60**
  - Related “Thing”: **ALGOL** (family of imperative programming languages; inception 1959)
- Notable work: an item recorded with publication year **1985** and topic tag **philosophy of technology** (title not provided in the source material)

### Students and academic lineage
- Student: Per Brinch Hansen
- Doctoral student: Elin Rønby Pedersen

### Honors and awards
- Turing Award (point in time: 2005)
- Computer Pioneer Award (point in time: 1986)
- G.A. Hagemann Gold Medal (point in time: 1963)
- Rosenkjær Award (point in time: 1966)

### Identifiers and reference links (selected)
- ISNI: 0000000110555729
- VIAF: 37424500
- GND: 107075512
- Library of Congress authority ID: n50028116
- Encyclopædia Britannica Online ID: biography/Peter-Naur

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## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps
2. [Encyclopædia Britannica Online](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Peter-Naur)
3. [heise online](https://www.heise.de/newsticker/meldung/Zum-Tode-von-Peter-Naur-Schlimmer-als-denkende-Maschinen-sind-Menschen-die-nicht-nachdenken-3059545.html)
4. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
5. Integrated Authority File
6. [Source](http://denstoredanske.dk/index.php?sideId=294813)
7. Czech National Authority Database
8. [Source](http://diku.dk/Nyheder/2014/peter-naur/)
9. [Source](https://di.ku.dk/english/research/phd/)
10. International Standard Name Identifier
11. Virtual International Authority File
12. CiNii Research
13. SNAC
14. Dansk Biografisk Leksikon
15. [Source](http://www.i-programmer.info/news/82-heritage/9308-computer-scientist-peter-naur-dies-aged.html)
16. Mathematics Genealogy Project