Obituaries

Francis William Lawvere, a longtime member of the UB mathematics faculty, died Jan. 23 in Chapel Hill, N.C., after a long illness. He was 85.

Lawvere was considered a leader in the field of category theory, a general mathematical theory of structures and of systems of structures that has seen wide application in geometry and computer science.

He worked to unify and simplify both advanced and elementary mathematics so that mathematics and philosophy could continue to serve as guides for science and education. He opposed war, supported liberation and resistance struggles of peoples around the world and at home, and encouraged progressive political activities. He stood for free speech and vigorous discussion to address problems based on theory and a commitment to progress.

Born in Muncie, Indiana, and raised on a farm outside Mathews, Lawvere received his undergraduate degree in mathematics from Indiana University. He earned his doctorate from Columbia University, studying with Samuel Eilenberg, a founder of category theory. After pursuing postdoctoral studies at the ETH, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Lawvere taught at the University of Chicago and CUNY Graduate Center. He also headed a group of researchers at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, which refused to renew his contract after two years because of his opposition to Canada’s War Measures Act.

He ran a seminar in mathematics theory in Perugia, Italy, for two years, then in 1974 joined the UB faculty, helping to make the mathematics department one of the world centers for category theory. He served as the Martin Professor of Mathematics for five years, and also held an adjunct position in the Department of Philosophy.

Lawvere’s son, Danilo, told The Buffalo News that throughout his career, his father had emphasized that a close relationship should be maintained between teaching and research, and that the principles of philosophy should be employed as a tool to unite them.

“Many mathematicians shied away from philosophy because it seemed disconnected,” Danilo Lawvere said. “No matter what conversation he was having, he was about the big picture. He was asking how does it relate, how does it integrate, how do you simplify it.”

A fellow of the American Mathematical Society, Lawvere wrote several books, including the textbooks “Conceptual Mathematics” and “Sets for Mathematics,” and lectured and collaborated with scientists in dozens of countries; his contributions continue to widely impact several areas of science.

He also mentored numerous undergraduate and graduate students, as well as researchers in many countries.

Lawvere retired from UB in 2000 as a professor emeritus of mathematics and an adjunct professor emeritus of philosophy.

Memorial celebrations of his life and scientific work are being planned.