Ferdinand Bôcher

Biography

Ferdinand Bôcher, a professor of mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and later at Harvard, left a lasting imprint through his research on differential equations and potential theory. His elegant proofs and precise scholarship helped to elevate American mathematical study in the late 19th century.

He inspired countless students and colleagues with his exacting standards and tireless curiosity, and the American Mathematical Society now honors his legacy with the Bôcher Memorial Prize for outstanding research in analysis.