# William Frederick Friedman

> American cryptologist (1891–1969)

**Wikidata**: [Q969082](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q969082)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_F._Friedman)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/william-frederick-friedman

## Summary
William Frederick Friedman was an American cryptologist, mathematician, and computer scientist active from 1891 to 1969. Recognized as a pivotal figure in the field of cryptology, he is best known for breaking Japanese codes and serving as a recipient of the National Security Medal. He frequently collaborated with his spouse, Elizebeth Smith Friedman, also a noted figure in the field.

## Biography
- **Born:** September 24, 1891, in Chișinău
- **Died:** November 2, 1969, in Washington, D.C.
- **Nationality:** United States; Russian Empire (origin)
- **Education:** Michigan State University; Cornell University
- **Known for:** Breaking Japanese codes; contributions to cryptology and computer science
- **Field(s):** Mathematics, Cryptology, Computer Science
- **Spouse:** Elizebeth Smith Friedman
- **Burial:** Arlington National Cemetery (Section 8, grave 6379-A)

## Contributions
William Frederick Friedman's career was defined by significant contributions to the science of cryptology and the emerging field of computer science. His work primarily involved the analysis and decryption of complex communication systems.

According to biographical sources and contemporary reports, Friedman was instrumental in breaking Japanese codes, a feat that highlighted his expertise in the field. His professional identity spanned multiple disciplines, serving as a mathematician and a computer scientist in addition to his role as a cryptologist.

Friedman's impact was formally recognized by the United States government through the awarding of the National Security Medal. His academic background included studies at Michigan State University and Cornell University. Beyond his technical work, Friedman maintained an academic presence, with his works indexed by major scientific databases, indicating a substantial body of published research or influence in computer science and mathematics.

## FAQs

### Q: What was William Frederick Friedman's primary profession?
A: William Frederick Friedman was primarily a cryptologist, though he is also classified as a mathematician and a computer scientist.

### Q: What major award did William Frederick Friedman receive?
A: Friedman received the National Security Medal, recognizing his contributions to the security and intelligence efforts of the United States.

### Q: Who was William Frederick Friedman married to?
A: He was married to Elizebeth Smith Friedman, who is also recognized within the cryptological community.

### Q: Where is William Frederick Friedman buried?
A: He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in the United States, specifically in Section 8, grave 6379-A.

## Why They Matter
William Frederick Friedman matters because he bridged the gap between classical cryptology and modern computer science during a critical era of technological evolution. His specific success in breaking Japanese codes represents a landmark achievement in signals intelligence, demonstrating the strategic value of cryptanalysis in national security. By applying mathematical rigor to the field, he helped elevate code-breaking from a linguistic art to a computational science. His recognition via the National Security Medal underscores the high level of trust and importance placed in his work by the U.S. government. Additionally, his dual identity as a computer scientist places him among the early figures who laid the groundwork for modern information processing and digital security.

## Notable For
- **National Security Medal:** Received this high-level U.S. government award.
- **Breaking Japanese Codes:** Credited in historical records (specifically the New York Times) with breaking Japanese codes.
- **Arlington National Cemetery:** Buried with honors in a specific grave site (Section 8, 6379-A).
- **Academic Lineage:** Associated with Michigan State University and Cornell University.
- **Cross-Disciplinary Role:** Recognized not just as a codebreaker, but as a mathematician and early computer scientist.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
William Frederick Friedman was born on September 24, 1891, in Chișinău. He held citizenship in the Russian Empire before becoming a United States citizen. His academic pursuits led him to study at Michigan State University and later at Cornell University.

### Career and Achievements
Friedman operated primarily in the fields of cryptology, mathematics, and computer science. A defining moment of his career was his role in breaking Japanese cryptographic systems, a capability noted in his obituaries and historical summaries. His expertise was not limited to decryption; he was also deeply involved in the theoretical and practical applications of computer science.

### Personal Life
Friedman was married to Elizebeth Smith Friedman. The two are often cited together in the context of cryptological history.

### Death and Legacy
William Frederick Friedman died on November 2, 1969, in Washington, D.C. He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery on November 5, 1969. His legacy is preserved through numerous identifiers in academic and scientific databases, including DBLP, zbMATH, and the Library of Congress, reflecting his enduring status as a scholar and practitioner.

### Identifiers and Aliases
Friedman was known by several names and aliases, including William Friedman, William F. Friedman, and Wolfe William Frederick Friedman. His works are cataloged under various authority IDs such as the Library of Congress (n87836154), VIAF (1101976), and ISNI (0000000115852677).

## References

1. [Source](https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/index.html#/arlington-national/)
2. International Standard Name Identifier
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. CiNii Research
5. [Encyclopædia Britannica](https://global.britannica.com/biography/William-F-Friedman-and-Elizebeth-S-Friedman)
6. SNAC
7. Find a Grave
8. FamilySearch
9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
10. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
11. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands