# Peter Wegner

> American computer scientist (1932–2017)

**Wikidata**: [Q7177632](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7177632)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Wegner_(computer_scientist))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/peter-wegner

## Summary
Peter Wegner (1932–2017) was an American computer scientist recognized for his significant contributions to the field of computer science. He held academic positions at several universities and was honored as an ACM Fellow and with the ACM Distinguished Service Award.

## Biography
- Born: 1932-08-20 in Saint Petersburg
- Nationality: United States
- Education: University of London, Bunce Court School, University of Westminster (as Regent Street Polytechnic), Imperial College London; Doctor of Philosophy (1968)
- Known for: Contributions to computer science and academia
- Employer(s): Pennsylvania State University (1957-1959, 1964-1966), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1959-1960), Harvard University (1960-1961), London School of Economics and Political Science (1961-1964), Cornell University (1966-1969), Brown University, University of London, Prudential plc
- Field(s): Computer science

## Contributions
Peter Wegner made notable contributions to the field of computer science through his extensive academic career and research. He served as a doctoral advisor to several individuals, including William Cook, Daniel M. Berry, Clement Leo McGowan, III, Maylun Buck-Lew, and Kenneth I. Magel, thereby influencing the next generation of computer scientists. His academic career spanned multiple prestigious institutions, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Cornell University, and Brown University, where he held various roles.

Wegner's work was recognized by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), an organization he was a member of. He was honored as an ACM Fellow in 1995, an award acknowledging his outstanding accomplishments in computing and information technology. Further demonstrating his impact, he received the ACM Distinguished Service Award in 2000. These accolades highlight his significant and sustained influence on the discipline. His primary field of work was computer science, where he contributed to its theoretical and practical advancements.

## FAQs
### Q: Who was Peter Wegner?
A: Peter Wegner was an American computer scientist born in 1932 and passed away in 2017. He was known for his academic career and was recognized as an ACM Fellow and for receiving the ACM Distinguished Service Award.

### Q: What was Peter Wegner's nationality?
A: Peter Wegner was a citizen of the United States.

### Q: Where did Peter Wegner receive his education?
A: Peter Wegner was educated at the University of London, Bunce Court School, University of Westminster (formerly Regent Street Polytechnic), and Imperial College London, earning a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1968.

### Q: What awards did Peter Wegner receive?
A: Peter Wegner was recognized as an ACM Fellow in 1995 and received the ACM Distinguished Service Award in 2000.

### Q: Which institutions employed Peter Wegner?
A: Peter Wegner was employed by several institutions, including Pennsylvania State University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, London School of Economics and Political Science, Cornell University, Brown University, University of London, and Prudential plc.

## Why They Matter
Peter Wegner matters significantly to the field of computer science due to his long and impactful career as an academic and researcher. His role as a doctoral advisor at institutions like Brown University meant he directly shaped the intellectual development of numerous future computer scientists, including notable figures like William Cook and Daniel M. Berry. This mentorship created a ripple effect, extending his influence through his students' subsequent work and contributions.

His recognition as an ACM Fellow in 1995 and the recipient of the ACM Distinguished Service Award in 2000 underscore his profound and lasting impact on the computing community. These prestigious awards signify that his peers and the leading professional organization in the field acknowledged his outstanding achievements and dedicated service. Without his academic leadership and contributions, the trajectory of computer science education and research at several key universities might have been different, and the individuals he mentored might not have achieved their specific successes. His work helped to advance the understanding and practice of computation.

## Notable For
*   Recipient of the ACM Fellow award in 1995.
*   Awarded the ACM Distinguished Service Award in 2000.
*   Served as a doctoral advisor to multiple computer scientists, including William Cook and Daniel M. Berry.
*   Held academic positions at prominent institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University, and Brown University.
*   Earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1968.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Peter Wegner was born on August 20, 1932, in Saint Petersburg. He later became a citizen of the United States. His educational journey included studies at Bunce Court School, the University of Westminster (then known as Regent Street Polytechnic), Imperial College London, and the University of London. He was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1968. He was fluent in German and began speaking English in 1939.

### Academic and Professional Career
Wegner's career in computer science spanned several decades and institutions. He held positions at Pennsylvania State University from 1957 to 1959 and again from 1964 to 1966. He was also affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology from 1959 to 1960 and Harvard University from 1960 to 1961. From 1961 to 1964, he worked at the London School of Economics and Political Science. He then moved to Cornell University, where he was employed from 1966 to 1969. Later in his career, he was associated with Brown University, the University of London, and Prudential plc. His doctoral advisor was Maurice Wilkes.

### Contributions to Computer Science
As a computer scientist, Peter Wegner's field of work was computer science. He was a significant figure in academia, serving as a doctoral advisor to several students who went on to become computer scientists themselves. His doctoral students included William Cook, Daniel M. Berry, Clement Leo McGowan, III, Maylun Buck-Lew, and Kenneth I. Magel.

### Recognition and Awards
Peter Wegner's contributions were formally recognized by the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). He was made an ACM Fellow in 1995, an honor bestowed upon members who have made outstanding contributions to computing. In 2000, he received the ACM Distinguished Service Award for his dedicated service to the computing community. He passed away on July 27, 2017.

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## References

1. [Source](http://posts.cs.brown.edu/2016/05/31/peter-wegner-life-remarkable/)
2. ADAGP/CISAC membership list at 07/01/2019
3. [Source](https://blog.cs.brown.edu/2016/05/31/peter-wegner-life-remarkable/)
4. [Source](https://awards.acm.org/fellows/award-recipients)
5. [Source](https://awards.acm.org/distinguished-members/award-winners?award=144)
6. Mathematics Genealogy Project
7. BnF authorities
8. Library of Congress Control Number
9. ADAGP directory
10. [Source](https://library.si.edu/art-and-artist-files)