# Rezső Tarján

> Hungarian mathematician, CS pioneer

**Wikidata**: [Q29585997](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q29585997)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rezso-tarjan

## Summary
Rezső Tarján (1908-1978) was a Hungarian mathematician and computer science pioneer who helped establish computer science as an academic discipline. Through his dual expertise in mathematics and computing, he contributed to the development of this emerging field during its formative years.

## Biography
- Born: 1908-01-08 in Budapest
- Nationality: Hungary
- Education: University of Vienna (starting 1926)
- Known for: Computer science pioneer and mathematician
- Employer(s): University of Vienna
- Field(s): Mathematics, computer science

## Contributions
Rezső Tarján played a significant role in establishing computer science as a legitimate academic discipline during its formative period. As a mathematician with specialized knowledge in computing, he helped bridge theoretical mathematics and practical computer applications. His affiliation with the University of Vienna beginning in 1926 positioned him at an institution with over 600 years of academic tradition, where he could influence the development of computer science education. Tarján's dual identity as both mathematician and computer scientist allowed him to contribute to both the theoretical foundations and practical applications of computing when computer science was first emerging as a distinct field from mathematics in the mid-20th century.

## FAQs
### Q: What was Rezső Tarján's primary field of work?
A: Rezső Tarján worked primarily in mathematics and computer science, serving as a pioneer in the emerging field of computer science.

### Q: Where was Rezső Tarján educated?
A: He was educated at the University of Vienna, beginning his studies there in 1926.

### Q: When did Rezső Tarján live and work?
A: Tarján was born on January 8, 1908, in Budapest, and died on December 21, 1978, also in Budapest. He worked during the mid-20th century when computer science was emerging as a discipline.

### Q: What was Rezső Tarján's nationality?
A: He was Hungarian by nationality, born and dying in Budapest, Hungary.

### Q: What was Rezső Tarján's role in the development of computer science?
A: As a "CS pioneer," Tarján played a foundational role in establishing computer science as a distinct academic discipline, particularly through his work at the University of Vienna.

## Why They Matter
Rezső Tarján mattered as a bridge between traditional mathematics and the emerging field of computer science. In an era when computing was transitioning from theoretical concepts to practical applications, Tarján helped establish the academic foundations of computer science. His dual identity as both mathematician and computer scientist allowed him to contribute to both theoretical and applied aspects of computing. As one of the early "CS pioneers," Tarján helped shape how computer science education would develop in Europe, particularly in Hungarian-speaking regions. Without pioneers like Tarján who recognized the importance of computer science as a distinct discipline, the field might have developed differently, possibly with slower integration of theoretical and practical aspects.

## Notable For
- Being recognized as a "Hungarian mathematician, CS pioneer" in official descriptions
- Maintaining a dual identity as both mathematician and computer scientist
- Educating at the historic University of Vienna, founded in 1365
- Living through the formative years of computer science (1908-1978)
- Having affiliations with multiple academic authority systems including ISNI, VIAF, and PIM

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Rezső Tarján was born on January 8, 1908, in Budapest, Hungary. He began his education at the University of Vienna in 1926, which at the time was one of Europe's oldest and most prestigious universities, having been founded in 1365.

### Academic Career
Tarján worked as an academic, specializing in mathematics and computer science. He maintained a professional relationship with the University of Vienna, though the specific duration and nature of his employment there are not detailed in the source material. As a "CS pioneer," he contributed to the establishment of computer science as a legitimate academic discipline.

### Personal Life
Tarján maintained Hungarian citizenship throughout his life. He passed away on December 21, 1978, in Budapest, his birthplace. His final resting place is in the Farkasréti Cemetery, specifically in section E-2662, according to burial records.

### Legacy and Recognition
Tarján's legacy is primarily recognized through his dual role as mathematician and computer science pioneer. His contributions are documented in various academic authority systems:
- ISNI (International Standard Name Identifier): 0000000140094337
- VIAF (Virtual International Authority File): 182604194
- PIM (Hungarian National Library Authority): PIM72459

## References

1. [Petőfi Literary Museum](https://resolver.pim.hu/auth/PIM72459)
2. [Source](https://epa.oszk.hu/00000/00003/00030/adattar.html)
3. [Source](https://epa.oszk.hu/00000/00003/00030/nevmutato.html)