Mcgill University Archives Mcgill University, Montreal Canada
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McGill University Archives McGill University, Montreal Canada MG4238 William Moser Fonds Accession 2004-0014 This is a guide to one of the collections held by the McGill University Archives, McGill University. Visit the McGill University Archives homepage (http://www.mcgill.ca/archives) for more information M.G. 4238 Biographical Sketch of Dr. WIlliam Moser Department of Mathematics and Statistics McGill University Dr. Moser is a respected member of the Canadian mathematical community, who has served as editor-in-chief of the Canadian Mathematical Bulletin and as president of the Canadian Mathematical SOCiety. He took his retirement in 1997 and was immediately appOinted Professor Emeritus by McGill University. The Canadian Mathematical Society granted him the 2003 Distinguished Service Award. William Oscar Jules Moser was born in 1927 in Winnipeg, MB, Canada. He married Beryl Rita Pearlman in 1953 and together they have 3 children: Marla, lionel and Paula. Moser's education began at the University of Manitoba where he obtained a Bachelor of Science (honours) degree (1949), and continued to the University of Minnesota where he was granted his Master's in 1951. Under the advisory of Donald Coxeter, Moser completed his PhD in mathematics at the University of Toronto in 1957. Moser's academic career began at the University of Saskatchewan where he was an Associate Professor from 1956-1960. From there, he moved to the University of Manitoba where he was also an Associate Professor from 1959-1964. His final placement was at McGill University in 1964 (Professor from 1966-) where he stayed until his retirement in 1997. During the years, Dr. Moser and his family spent time in England and Paris while on sabbatical leaves from McGill, but Montreal remains their home. Some of his close professional friendships include: Donald Coxeter, Paul Erd6s, Sy Schuster, etc. His most famous publication was "Generators and relations for discrete groups, 1957n with Do'nald Coxeter. This work has garnered attention for its longevity and importance as it is currently in its 8th edition. Dr. Moser is still publishing books in the field of mathematics with fellow mathematicians. It is important to note that Prof. Moser's main contribution to the mathematical world is within the field of geometry. Sources: http://www.reporter-archive.mcgill.calRep/r3017/convocation4.html http://www.cms.math.calMediaReleaseS/2003/dsa.html http://math.usask.calaboutldetails.html 'Who's Who in America" 1996. ( M.G. 4238 Dr. William Moser Fonds Scope and Content: The Fonds consist of both personal and professional correspondence relating to his mathematical career. Colleagues and friends from the mathematical profession have provided letters (incoming/outgoing), publications, newspaper and magazine clippings, and CV's over the course of 66 years. Correspondence comes from H.S.M. Coxeter, Donald O.Hebb, Paul ErdOs, Bela BollobSs, John Conway, Janos Komlos, J.A.H. Hunter, and other notables within the field of mathematics. In all, they comprise of 72 em of textual records, as well as 7 photographs depicting family and friends of Dr. Moser's and a painting; includes one audiotape. Dates: 1935-2004: an attempt has been made to sort file contents chronologically Immediate Source of Acquisition: Dr. William Moser during Spring 2004 Finding Aids: Attached file listing Boxes 1 - 5 M.G. 4238 Dr. William Moser Fonds Accession 04·014 MG 4238 BOX 1: Coxeter binder and additional files: 1970· 2002 One 2" binder filled with Coxeter/Moser correspondence. Accessioned by Shannon Hodge In April 2004. which Is why It Is a part of a separate accession from the rest of the folders. This binder was brought first to the McGill University Archives. prior to the remainder of the material. 1970-2002 File 00158 McNamee. John: The file consists of correspondence and obituary notices and eulogies of John McNamee. File 00159 Jeffrey. Ralph L.: The file consists of correspondence, obituary notices, and eulogies of Ralph L. Jeffrey; also included, thank you ·Ietters from his widow. File 00160 Williams. W.L.G.: The file consists of publications, obituary notices, and remembrances of Williams. Accession 04·166 MG4238 BOX 2: File 00001 Anderson. William: The file consists of a letter from 2002 concerning the death of Anderson's wife. Anderson is a professor of mathematics at McGill University. File 00002 Avltal. Shmuel: The file consists of two letters from mathematician, Shmuel Avital of Israel relating to the profession of mathematics. File 00003 Bass, A. Burton: The file consists of personal correspondence as well as a copy of the Dalhousie Law Journal, May 1979. Burton Is a retired law professor. File 00004 Beach, Earl: The file consists mainly personal correspondence, Christmas notes, refiectlons on a trip to Russia and a letter from former McGill Principal, Donald O. Hebb, cc: to Earl Beach. File 00005 Barbeau, Ed: The file consists of correspondence from John Friedlander, regarding Ed Barbeau. Included are two original pages from the University of Toronto Alumni Magazine. 1 File 00006 Billiard Club: The file consists of various items about the McGill Faculty Billiard Club: o Instructions, a one-act play, member certificates and other miscellaneous items. The McGill Faculty Billiard Club ran from 1970-1990. File 00007 Beatty, Samuel: The file consists of personal correspondence from Samuel Beatty and his family. Beatty was a Chancellor of the University of Toronto. File 00008 Bell, Robert: The file contains one thank you letter from Principal Bell; includes a handwritten notation [by Moser] in the [Greek] language. File 00009 Berzsenyi, George: The file consists of one letter from Berzsenyi of Lamar University, Texas regarding a request to receive an article on geometry written by Moser. File 00010 Bezdek, Karoly: The file consists of correspondence with Andras Bezdek regarding the possible professorial appointment of Dr. Karoly Bezdek; Includes letters of referral, publication list of Bezdek's and a curriculum vitae. Dr. Bezdek Is a mathematician from Europe. File 00011 Bollobas, Bela: The file consists of one letter from Bela Bollabas, fellow professor at the University of Cambridge. File 00012 Brown, William G.: The file consists of memorandums, postcards, poetry and correspondence o ofW.G. 'Will" Brown. Brown Is professor of mathematics at McGill University. File 00013 Campbell, Harvey: The file consists of correspondence, including the "Examination of Master's Thesis" report of H. Campbell, by Dr. Moser. File 00014 Ceccherlnl, Pier Vittorio: The file consists of postcards, and personal letters regarding the CeccherlnVSllberstein family. File 00015 Chen, William: The file consists of printouts from the website of William Chen. File 00016 Chvatal, Vasek: The file consists of postcards, cross drawings, articles by Vaclav Chvatal, correspondence of Vasek Chvatal and math problems (of Moser's) solved by Chvatal. File 00017 Cohen, David: The file consists of correspondence with Dr. David Cohen. File 00018 Cohen, Marty: The file consists of one letter from Prof. Cohen thanking Moser for being a guest lecturer at the "Friday Evening Group". 2 File 00019 Coxeter Papers: The file consists of papers related to the death of Donald Coxeter, in the form o of articles on Coxeter's contribution to the Mathematic world, obituary notices from various publications, program booklets from the International Congress of Mathematics (1974 & 1977), and publications relating to Coxeter's work, dated 1938-2003. Note: there are 4 separate files for this file title. Includes one photo of a painting. See Appendix A for publication listing. File 00020 Conway, John: The file consists of correspondence from Professor John Conway of the University of Cambridge; two copies of the Science College Public Lecture Series by John Conway, Princeton University is also included. File 00021 Dawson, Sandy: The file consists of one letter from A.J. (Sandy) Conway of Simon Fraser University regarding the success of the Donald Coxeter tribute dinner. File 00022 Civkin, Sidney: The file consists of unsigned correspondence regarding the professional life of Civkin. File 00023 Zaremba, Stanislaw Krystyn: The file consists of a curriculum vitae of S.K. Zaremba regarding a possible professorship at McGill University In the Department of Mathematics. Also includes one letter from D. A. Golden regarding Dr. Dirac (appears to have no relevance to Zaremba). File 00024 Erdos, Paul: The file consists of correspondence, postcards, newspaper clippings, obituaries o and book reviews by and about Paul ErdOs, Mathematician and friend of Dr. Moser. File 00025 Escher, M.C.: The file consists of an article and advertisement for the works of M.C. Escher. No date supplied within the items. Century certain, [19- ]. File 00026 FeJes-T6th, Laszl6: The file consists of handwritten letters by Fejes-TOth of Hungary regarding the field of geometry and subsequent visits to Montreal. File 00027 Fenson, Melvin: The file consists of an obituary notice of Melvin Fenson, first cousin of Dr. Moser's. Also includes a newspaper article and pamphlet by Fenson. File 00028 Flchaud, Ray: The file consists of correspondence from the CBC and related news articles about the biggest and oldest organism found; one of them is an article written by Natalie Angier. File 00029 Fisher, Chris: The file consists of one letter from Fisher solving a mathematical problem (of Moser's?). File 00030 Flanders, Harvey: The file consists of personal correspondence from Dr. Harley Flanders on such subjects as limericks, and the death of Dr. Moser's brother, Leo. File 00031 Graham, Ron: The file consists of one letter regarding Graham's solving of a math problem. 3 File 00032 Greenwood, Robert E.: The file consists of correspondence and math problems/solutions by Robert E. Greenwood, Department of Mathematics at the University of Texas at Austin. Also includes a condolence letter to Mrs. Eva Moser, widow of Leo Moser (Dr. William Moser's brother). File 00033 Furedi, Z.: The file consists of a curriculum vitae and a list of publications by Z.