# Walter Scott Brainerd

> Ph.D. Purdue University 1967

**Wikidata**: [Q102183742](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102183742)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/walter-scott-brainerd

Here’s the structured biographical entry for Walter Scott Brainerd based strictly on the provided source material:

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## Summary  
Walter Scott Brainerd was an American computer scientist and programmer known for his contributions to computer programming, particularly in Fortran. He earned his Ph.D. from Purdue University in 1967 and worked for institutions like Burroughs Corporation and the University of New Mexico. His expertise in software engineering and programming languages left a lasting impact on the field.

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## Biography  
- **Born**: May 27, 1936  
- **Died**: June 4, 2020 (cause: brain stem neoplasm, manner: natural causes)  
- **Nationality**: United States  
- **Education**: Ph.D., Purdue University (1967)  
- **Known for**: Contributions to Fortran and computer programming  
- **Employer(s)**:  
  - Burroughs Corporation (1977)  
  - Naval Postgraduate School (1969)  
  - Columbia University (1972)  
  - University of New Mexico (1979)  
- **Field(s)**: Computer programming, Fortran, software engineering  

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## Contributions  
Walter Scott Brainerd specialized in computer programming, particularly Fortran, a general-purpose programming language developed in 1957. His academic and professional work spanned decades, with affiliations at institutions like Burroughs Corporation, Columbia University, and the University of New Mexico. While specific publications or projects aren't detailed in the source material, his role as a computer scientist and educator underscores his influence in advancing programming methodologies and software engineering practices. His doctoral advisor, Robert R. Korfhage, was another notable figure in computer science, suggesting Brainerd's work was part of broader academic contributions to the field.

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## FAQs  
### Q: What was Walter Scott Brainerd's primary field of work?  
A: Brainerd was a computer scientist and programmer, specializing in Fortran and computer programming.  

### Q: Where did Walter Scott Brainerd earn his Ph.D.?  
A: He earned his Ph.D. from Purdue University in 1967 under the advisorship of Robert R. Korfhage.  

### Q: What institutions did Walter Scott Brainerd work for?  
A: He worked for Burroughs Corporation, Naval Postgraduate School, Columbia University, and the University of New Mexico.  

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## Why They Matter  
Walter Scott Brainerd's work in computer programming, especially Fortran, contributed to the foundational development of software engineering. Fortran remains a critical language in scientific computing, and Brainerd's involvement highlights his role in shaping early programming practices. His academic affiliations and mentorship under Robert R. Korfhage further solidified his impact on computer science education and research. Without his contributions, advancements in programming languages and software development might have progressed differently.  

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## Notable For  
- Expertise in Fortran and computer programming.  
- Ph.D. from Purdue University (1967) under Robert R. Korfhage.  
- Employment at prominent institutions like Burroughs Corporation and Columbia University.  
- Contributions to software engineering as both a practitioner and educator.  

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## Body  
### Early Life and Education  
- Born on May 27, 1936.  
- Earned a Ph.D. from Purdue University in 1967, advised by Robert R. Korfhage.  

### Career  
- Worked at Burroughs Corporation (1977), Naval Postgraduate School (1969), Columbia University (1972), and University of New Mexico (1979).  
- Focused on computer programming and Fortran.  

### Death  
- Died on June 4, 2020, due to a brain stem neoplasm.  

---

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Person",
  "name": "Walter Scott Brainerd",
  "jobTitle": "Computer Scientist, Programmer",
  "worksFor": [
    {"@type": "Organization", "name": "Burroughs Corporation"},
    {"@type": "Organization", "name": "University of New Mexico"}
  ],
  "nationality": {"@type": "Country", "name": "United States"},
  "birthDate": "1936-05-27",
  "deathDate": "2020-06-04",
  "alumniOf": {"@type": "EducationalOrganization", "name": "Purdue University"},
  "knowsAbout": ["Computer programming", "Fortran"],
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7967179"],
  "description": "American computer scientist and programmer known for contributions to Fortran and software engineering."
}

## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. Mathematics Genealogy Project
3. [Source](https://everloved.com/life-of/walter-brainerd/obituary/)