# Thomas Hughson Westerdale

> Ph.D. University of Michigan 1969

**Wikidata**: [Q102148175](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102148175)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/thomas-hughson-westerdale

## Summary
Thomas Hughson Westerdale is a computer scientist and university teacher currently affiliated with Birkbeck, University of London. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1969, where he studied under the prominent American scientist John Henry Holland.

## Biography
*   **Education:** Ph.D., University of Michigan (1969)
*   **Employer(s):** Birkbeck, University of London
*   **Field(s):** Computer Science
*   **Doctoral Advisor:** John Henry Holland
*   **Gender:** Male
*   **Known for:** Academic research and teaching in computer science; specific contributions detailed in his academic lineage.

## Contributions
Based on the provided source material, Thomas Hughson Westerdale's primary contributions are identified within the realm of computer science and higher education. He achieved a significant academic milestone by earning a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1969, a period foundational to the expansion of computer science as a discipline.

Westerdale's career includes service in both the industrial and service sectors, as well as academia. He is currently recognized as a university teacher at Birkbeck, University of London, maintaining a professional profile within the Department of Computer Science (indicated by his staff website). His academic standing is further recorded in the Mathematics Genealogy Project under ID 5430, which tracks the intellectual lineage of mathematicians and scientists. While specific patents or proprietary software are not listed in the source text, his role as an educator and researcher constitutes his professional output.

## FAQs
### Q: Where did Thomas Hughson Westerdale earn his Ph.D.?
A: He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1969.

### Q: Who was Thomas Hughson Westerdale's doctoral advisor?
A: His doctoral advisor was John Henry Holland, a noted American scientist, engineer, and psychologist.

### Q: What is Thomas Hughson Westerdale's current academic affiliation?
A: He is affiliated with Birkbeck, University of London, where he is listed as a university teacher in the computer science department.

### Q: What is his middle name?
A: His middle name is Hughson.

## Why They Matter
Thomas Hughson Westerdale represents a link in the historical development of computer science, particularly through his academic lineage. His connection to John Henry Holland—a pioneering figure in the fields of psychology, engineering, and computer science—places Westerdale within a significant intellectual heritage. Having received his doctorate in 1969, Westerdale is part of an early generation of computer scientists who transitioned the field from theoretical and military origins into broader industrial and service sectors.

His long-standing association with Birkbeck, University of London, highlights his contribution to education, specifically in training subsequent generations of computer scientists. By occupying a role that bridges industrial application and academic theory, Westerdale exemplifies the career path of the 20th-century computer scientist.

## Notable For
*   **Early Ph.D. in Computer Science:** Achieved a doctorate in 1969, placing him among the early academic cohort of computer scientists.
*   **Academic Lineage:** Studied under John Henry Holland, a distinguished US university professor and scientist.
*   **Affiliation with Birkbeck:** Serves as a university teacher at Birkbeck, University of London, a major institution for higher education.
*   **Mathematics Genealogy:** Recorded in the Mathematics Genealogy Project (ID 5430), signifying his verified standing in academic history.

## Body

### Education and Academic Lineage
Thomas Hughson Westerdale completed his doctoral studies at the University of Michigan in 1969. His research and thesis work were supervised by John Henry Holland. Holland is recognized as a significant figure in science, holding occupations as an engineer, psychologist, and computer scientist. This mentorship connects Westerdale to a foundational lineage of American scientific research.

### Professional Career
Westerdale is identified as a computer scientist operating within the industrial and service sectors. His primary academic employment is with Birkbeck, University of London. In this capacity, he functions as a university teacher.

### Online Presence and Records
Westerdale maintains a professional web presence via the Birkbeck Department of Computer Science website. Additionally, his academic metadata is preserved in the Mathematics Genealogy Project under the identifier 5430. Structured data sources describe him strictly as a human, male, and active practitioner of computer science.

## References

1. Mathematics Genealogy Project
2. [Source](https://www.dcs.bbk.ac.uk/~tom/)