# Stephen Wolfram

> British-American scientist and businessman (born 1959)

**Wikidata**: [Q310798](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q310798)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Wolfram)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/stephen-wolfram

## Summary
Stephen Wolfram is a British-American computer scientist, physicist, and businessman best known as the founder and CEO of Wolfram Research. He is the creator of the computational software Mathematica and the Wolfram Language, and is the author of the influential book *A New Kind of Science*.

## Biography
- **Born:** August 29, 1959, in London, England, United Kingdom
- **Nationality:** British and American
- **Education:** Doctor of Philosophy in theoretical physics from the California Institute of Technology; also attended the University of Oxford, Eton College, Dragon School, and St John's College
- **Known for:** Development of Mathematica and the Wolfram Language; research in computational science and cellular automata
- **Employer(s):** Wolfram Research (CEO), University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign
- **Field(s):** Computer science, physics, mathematics, artificial intelligence

## Contributions
Stephen Wolfram has significantly advanced the field of technical computing through the creation of foundational software and programming environments. In 1988, he launched Mathematica, a computational software program that became a standard tool for scientific and mathematical research. Concurrently, he developed the Wolfram Language, a multi-paradigm programming language that serves as the computational engine for Mathematica and other systems. 

Beyond software development, Wolfram has made major intellectual contributions to the study of complex systems. His landmark book, *A New Kind of Science*, explores the idea that simple computational rules can explain the complexity found in nature and the universe. His academic career included a tenure as a professor at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign. As a businessman and patent inventor, he founded Wolfram Research, where he continues to lead as Chief Executive Officer, overseeing the integration of artificial intelligence and computational logic into modern technology.

## FAQs
### Q: What are Stephen Wolfram's most significant software achievements?
A: He is the creator of Mathematica, a major computational software program launched in 1988, and the Wolfram Language, a programming environment designed for high-level computation.

### Q: What is "A New Kind of Science"?
A: It is a notable book written by Stephen Wolfram that proposes a shift in scientific modeling, suggesting that simple computational programs, rather than traditional mathematical equations, are the key to understanding natural complexity.

### Q: Has Stephen Wolfram received any major awards?
A: Yes, he was a recipient of the MacArthur Fellows Program in 1981 and the Friedrich L. Bauer Prize in 2009. He is also a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

## Why They Matter
Stephen Wolfram’s work has fundamentally changed the landscape of technical and symbolic computation. By creating Mathematica and the Wolfram Language, he provided researchers and engineers with a unified framework for solving complex mathematical problems, a contribution that has had a lasting impact on the industrial and service sectors. His early recognition as a MacArthur Fellow at the age of 21 highlighted his status as a prodigy in theoretical physics. 

Wolfram’s influence extends to the theoretical foundations of computer science, where he has built upon the work of pioneers like Alan Turing to advocate for a computational view of the physical world. His leadership at Wolfram Research has maintained the company as a central hub for computational innovation for over three decades, bridging the gap between academic theory and practical, commercial software applications.

## Notable For
*   **MacArthur Fellow:** Received the "Genius Grant" in July 1981.
*   **Software Pioneer:** Creator of Mathematica (1988) and the Wolfram Language.
*   **Landmark Author:** Wrote *A New Kind of Science*, a major work on computational systems.
*   **Academic Fellowships:** Fellow of the American Mathematical Society (2013) and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (2023).
*   **Corporate Leadership:** Founder and CEO of Wolfram Research.

## Body
### Early Life and Academic Foundation
Stephen Wolfram was born on August 29, 1959, in London to Hugo and Sybil Wolfram. He demonstrated early intellectual promise, attending the Dragon School and Eton College before studying at the University of Oxford. He moved to the United States for graduate studies, earning a PhD in theoretical physics from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) under the supervision of doctoral advisor Richard D. Field.

### Professional Career and Research
Wolfram's career spans academia and industry. He served as a university teacher at the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, focusing on mathematics and computer science. In 1987, he founded Wolfram Research, serving as its Chief Executive Officer. His work in this period led to the release of Mathematica on June 23, 1988. His research interests are broad, encompassing artificial intelligence, cellular automata, and the development of computational languages. He has also been a contributor to *Wired* magazine and maintains an active presence as an opinion journalist and writer.

### Computational Philosophy and Influences
Wolfram’s intellectual trajectory was influenced by computer science pioneers such as Alan Turing, William A. Martin, and Joel Moses. His work often centers on the intersection of physics and computation, a theme central to his publication *A New Kind of Science*. He holds an Erdős number of 2, reflecting his collaborative reach within the mathematical community.

### Personal and Technical Details
Wolfram is a British and American citizen and is left-handed. He resides in the United States, with notable associations in Cambridge and Concord. He is the brother of Conrad Wolfram and has four children. In addition to his scientific work, he is a patent inventor and has been recognized for his contributions to the industrial sector.

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Person",
  "name": "Stephen Wolfram",
  "jobTitle": "Chief Executive Officer",
  "worksFor": [
    {
      "@type": "Organization",
      "name": "Wolfram Research"
    },
    {
      "@type": "Organization",
      "name": "University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign"
    }
  ],
  "nationality": [
    {
      "@type": "Country",
      "name": "United Kingdom"
    },
    {
      "@type": "Country",
      "name": "United States"
    }
  ],
  "birthDate": "1959-08-29",
  "birthPlace": "London, England",
  "alumniOf": [
    {
      "@type": "EducationalOrganization",
      "name": "California Institute of Technology"
    },
    {
      "@type": "EducationalOrganization",
      "name": "University of Oxford"
    },
    {
      "@type": "EducationalOrganization",
      "name": "Eton College"
    },
    {
      "@type": "EducationalOrganization",
      "name": "Dragon School"
    },
    {
      "@type": "EducationalOrganization",
      "name": "St John's College"
    }
  ],
  "knowsAbout": [
    "Computer Science",
    "Physics",
    "Mathematics",
    "Artificial Intelligence",
    "Wolfram Language",
    "Mathematica"
  ],
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q92747",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Wolfram"
  ],
  "description": "British-American scientist and businessman known for creating Mathematica and the Wolfram Language."
}

## References

1. [Source](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/more_or_less/7112637.stm)
2. [Source](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8055470.stm)
3. [Source](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19699776)
4. BnF authorities
5. The Fine Art Archive
6. [Source](http://www.nndb.com/edu/163/000088896/)
7. [Source](http://www.nndb.com/edu/584/000082338/)
8. [Source](http://www.nndb.com/honors/321/000044189/)
9. [Source](http://news.bbc.co.uk/nolpda/ukfs_news/hi/newsid_8356000/8356217.stm)
10. [Source](http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25501749-663,00.html)
11. [Source](http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/02763860903485225)
12. [Source](http://www.theage.com.au/technology/sci-tech/five-science-breakthroughs-that-will-transform-politics-20120419-1x954.html)
13. [Source](http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/24/AR2009042403558.html)
14. [Source](http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/techbeat/archives/2009/03/google_keeps_tw.html?chan=top+news_top+news+index+-+temp_news+%2B+analysis)
15. [Source](http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/technology-gadgets/the-internet-makes-its-next-lsquoevolutionary-leaprsquo-14290131.html)
16. [Source](http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Health--Science/Science/New-software-set-to-revolutionize-internet-search/articleshow/4480257.cms)
17. [Source](http://www.ams.org/fellows_by_year.cgi?year=2013)
18. [Source](http://www.ams.org/news?news_id=1680)
19. [Source](https://www.amacad.org/new-members-2023)
20. Mathematics Genealogy Project
21. International Standard Name Identifier
22. CiNii Research
23. MusicBrainz
24. SNAC
25. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
26. Munzinger Personen
27. [Source](http://www.nndb.com/lists/515/000063326/)
28. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
29. Virtual International Authority File
30. [Source](https://www.stephenwolfram.com/contact/)
31. [Source](https://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2009/05/29/2584139.htm)
32. Goodreads
33. Quora
34. [Source](https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/axf32h/i_am_stephen_wolfram_founder_ceo_of_wolfram/)
35. Catalogo of the National Library of India