Reid, William T. (William Thomas), 1907 October 4-1977

William T. Reid's (1907-1977) career was spent at the University of Chicago (1929-1944), Northwestern University (1944-1959), University of Iowa (1959-1964), University of Oklahoma (1964-1976), and University of Texas (1976-1977).

From the description of Reid, William T., Papers, 1925-1977. (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 19504185

William Thomas Reid was born October 4, 1907, near Grand Saline, Texas, and attended college at Simmons (now Hardin-Simmons) University in Abilene, Texas. His M.A. and Ph.D. (1929) were obtained at the University of Texas at Austin. He was National Research Fellow (1929-1931) and then a faculty member (1931-1944) at the University of Chicago. Reid was professor of mathematics at Northwestern University (1944-1959), University of Iowa (1959-1964), and University of Oklahoma (1964-1976). He was a visiting scientist at the University of Texas at Austin when he died on October 14, 1977.

Reid's research concerned differential equations, calculus of variations, and optimal control. He devoted particular attention to the relations between the theory of differential equations and extremum principles. During World War II he served as consultant in mathematics to the Army Air Corps and served in the Pre-Meteorology program. He was chairman of the subcommittee on examinations of the War Policy Committee of the American Mathematical Society and the Mathematical Association of America.

Background to Reid's World War II work may be found in Henry C. Herge. 1948. Wartime College Training Programs of the Armed Services. Washington, D.C.: American Council on Education, 214 pp.

From the guide to the William T. Reid Papers, 1925-1977, (Archives of American Mathematics, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)