Alonzo Church
Mathematician and logician; Church-Turing Thesis
Mathematician and logician; Church-Turing Thesis
1995
30 years ago — 92 years old
Thinkers & Philosophers
United States
A prominent mathematician and logician contributed significantly to the fields of mathematical logic and theoretical computer science. Introduced the concept of lambda calculus, which became foundational for functional programming. Developed the Church-Turing Thesis, proposing that any effectively calculable function can be computed by a Turing machine, laying important groundwork for modern computer science. Worked on recursive functions and demonstrated the undecidability of the Entscheidungsproblem. Served as a professor at Princeton University and held various prestigious academic positions.
Developed lambda calculus
Formulated the Church-Turing Thesis
Demonstrated undecidability of the Entscheidungsproblem
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