# Robert Tienwen Chien

> scientist

**Wikidata**: [Q22954280](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q22954280)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Tienwen_Chien)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/robert-tienwen-chien

## Summary
Robert Tienwen Chien was an American computer scientist and artificial intelligence researcher. Born in Wuxi, China, he built his career at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, where he earned his doctorate and later served as a university teacher until his death in 1983.

## Biography
- Born: November 20, 1931, Wuxi
- Nationality: United States
- Education: National Taiwan University; University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign
- Known for: Computer science and artificial intelligence research
- Employer(s): University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign
- Field(s): Computer science, artificial intelligence, academic education
- Died: December 8, 1983, Urbana

## Contributions
Robert Tienwen Chien contributed to the fields of computer science and artificial intelligence through his academic work at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign. He earned his doctoral degree under the supervision of Mac Van Valkenburg, a notable figure in electrical engineering education. Chien later mentored doctoral students, including Fred Alan Stahl and Wesley E. Snyder, guiding their research and advancing scholarship in computing. His career bridged technical research and teaching, shaping early developments in AI-related academic programs. Though the source material does not list specific publications, his recognized roles as a computer scientist, AI researcher, and university teacher indicate an output of scholarly work that supported graduate education and faculty development at a major research institution. He remained affiliated with the University of Illinois until his death in 1983.

## FAQs
### Q: What was Robert Tienwen Chien's main field of work?
A: He worked primarily as a computer scientist and artificial intelligence researcher, contributing to both research and teaching.

### Q: Where did Robert Tienwen Chien study and work?
A: He studied at National Taiwan University and the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, where he later worked as a university teacher.

### Q: Who were Robert Tienwen Chien's notable students?
A: He advised doctoral students Fred Alan Stahl and Wesley E. Snyder during his academic career.

## Why They Matter
Robert Tienwen Chien played a role in advancing computer science and artificial intelligence education at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, a leading public research university. By mentoring doctoral students and contributing to faculty scholarship, he supported the growth of computing as an academic discipline during a formative period for the field. His training under Mac Van Valkenburg and his advisory relationships placed him within a network of scholars shaping electrical engineering and computing research. The fact that his biographical data is preserved across multiple authority systems, including ISNI, VIAF, and the Mathematics Genealogy Project, reflects his documented presence in scholarly record-keeping. Though he died relatively young in 1983, his influence continued through the work of his students and the institutional programs he helped strengthen. His career illustrates how academic mentorship and faculty service contribute to long-term disciplinary development in science and technology.

## Notable For
- Served as a university teacher and researcher in computer science and artificial intelligence
- Earned a doctorate under advisor Mac Van Valkenburg at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign
- Mentored doctoral students Fred Alan Stahl and Wesley E. Snyder
- Recognized in authority records including ISNI, VIAF, NUKAT, BIBSYS, and the Mathematics Genealogy Project
- Affiliated with the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign as both student and employee

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Robert Tienwen Chien was born on November 20, 1931, in Wuxi. He pursued higher education in both Asia and the United States. He attended National Taiwan University before enrolling at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, where he completed his doctoral studies. His doctoral advisor was Mac Van Valkenburg, a prominent academic in electrical engineering.

### Academic Career
Chien built his professional career at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign. He held roles as a computer scientist, artificial intelligence researcher, and university teacher. His work contributed to research and instruction in computing at a time when the field was expanding within university settings. The University of Illinois, founded in 1867, provided a research-intensive environment where Chien could collaborate with colleagues and mentor graduate students.

### Mentorship and Influence
During his career, Chien advised at least two doctoral students: Fred Alan Stahl and Wesley E. Snyder. Both students are recorded in academic genealogy databases, indicating Chien’s participation in the formal training of researchers who went on to contribute to the field.

### Recognition and Records
Chien’s biographical and professional data appears in multiple authoritative systems:
- ISNI: 0000000457465458
- VIAF: 244923168
- NUKAT ID: n2015188343
- BIBSYS ID: 20241
- MR Author ID: 425050
- Mathematics Genealogy Project ID: 130757
- Google Knowledge Graph ID: /g/11c2jbdj4s

These identifiers confirm his documented presence in global academic and library catalogs.

### Death
Robert Tienwen Chien died on December 8, 1983, in Urbana, Illinois. He was 52 years old. His death marked the end of a career rooted in education, research, and mentorship at a major American research university.

## References

1. Mathematics Genealogy Project