McCarthy, John, 1927-2011

Head of Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory from the early 1960s until 1980.

From the description of Oral history interview with John McCarthy, 1989 Mar. 2. (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 63307054

John McCarthy, after earning his Ph.D. in mathematics at Princeton in 1951, taught at Stanford, Dartmouth, and MIT. In 1962 he returned to Stanford as professor of computer science. From 1965 to 1980 he was organizer and director of Stanford's Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. In 1987 he was named the first Charles M. Pigott professor in the School of Engineering. McCarthy invented the computer-programming language LISP in 1958 and the concept of time-sharing on large computers in the late 50s and early 60s. In 1990 he received the National Medal of Science for helping to create the science of artificial intelligence.

From the description of John McCarthy papers, 1951-1988. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 694341822

Biographical/Historical Sketch

John McCarthy, after earning his Ph.D. in mathematics at Princeton in 1951, taught at Stanford, Dartmouth, and MIT. In 1962 he returned to Stanford as professor of computer science. From 1965 to 1980 he was organizer and director of Stanford's Artificial Intelligence Laboratory. In 1987 he was named the first Charles M. Pigott professor in the School of Engineering. McCarthy invented the computer-programming language LISP in 1958 and the concept of time-sharing on large computers in the late 50s and early 60s. In 1990 he received the National Medal of Science for helping to create the science of artificial intelligence.

From the guide to the John McCarthy papers, 1951-2008, (Department of Special Collections and University Archives)