In Memorium: Donald C. Benson
Our colleague Donald C. Benson died on May 2, 2019, at age 91. Born on June 6, 1927, in Los Angeles, he studied at UCLA and later Stanford, where he obtained his Ph.D. in 1954 under the guidance of Charles Loewner. After teaching at Princeton University and Carnegie Tech (now known as Carnegie Mellon University), he joined the UC Davis Department of Mathematics in 1957, retiring in 1983.
He was a dedicated teacher and a Math Aficionado. His taste for elegant mathematics and mathematical elegance led him to author several books for general readers to explore mathematical ideas and the pleasure of mathematical discovery. His book The Moment of Proof: Mathematical Epiphanies delved into intriguing mathematical puzzles to convey the joy of mathematical discovery to a wide readership. In The Ballet of the Planets, Benson combined mathematical theory with his appreciation for the elegance of celestial mechanics. A Smoother Pebble: Mathematical Explorations provided a comprehensive overview of mathematics, from fractions to calculus, while emphasizing the human story behind its development.
In addition to mathematics, he enjoyed rock climbing, hiking, and playing the flute.
Media Resources
Donald Benson was interviewed after his retirement. He discusses what inspired his interest in math in 5th grade, what shaped his career, his books, and his experiences as a faculty member.