Biography: Maverick Mathematician Joe Moyal

In summary, J.E. Moyal was a mathematician and engineer who made significant contributions to the field of quantum mechanics. His correspondence with Paul Dirac, as well as his paper "Quantum Mechanics as a Statistical Theory," have been influential in the study of noncommutative geometry and field theory. His work has been recognized and referenced by many in the field of quantum gravity. Although he passed away in 1998, Moyal's legacy continues to be important in the scientific community.
  • #1
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I stumbled across this biography while reading about Graham Farmelo's biography of Paul Dirac.

http://epress.anu.edu.au/maverick/html/prelims.html
Maverick Mathematician
The Life and Science of J.E. Moyal


It's interesting because there is an appendix with correspondence between Moyal and Dirac.
http://epress.anu.edu.au/maverick/html/apb.html
Appendix 2. P.A.M. Dirac – J. E. Moyal: Correspondence, 1944-1946. Basser Library, Australian Academy of Science, Canberra, MS 45/3/

Appendix 3. contains his paper -Quantum Mechanics as a Statistical Theory by J.E. Moyal
Originally published in the Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Vol. 45, 1949.

http://epress.anu.edu.au/maverick/pdf/app03.pdf
Reproduced with permission of Cambridge University Press.

Moyal was also an engineer.
 
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Kea made significant references to Moyal when she was posting at PF. After being alerted, I kept hearing the name. Especially the "Moyal product". For some reason the people who approach quantum gravity via noncommutative geometry and noncommutative field theory often mention things going by his name. Could turn out to be important.

1910-1998. This obit emphasizes his work as an engineer.
http://www.hep.anl.gov/czachos/moyal.html
 
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I find this biography of J.E. Moyal to be fascinating. Moyal was not only a mathematician, but also an engineer, which shows his diverse interests and capabilities. His correspondence with Paul Dirac, one of the most influential physicists of the 20th century, is also intriguing. It's always interesting to see how great minds communicate and collaborate with each other.

I am particularly interested in Appendix 3, which contains Moyal's paper on quantum mechanics as a statistical theory. This was a groundbreaking concept at the time and had a major impact on the development of quantum mechanics. It's impressive that Moyal's work was published in the Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, a prestigious journal, and shows the significance of his contributions to the field.

Overall, this biography provides valuable insights into the life and work of a maverick mathematician who made significant contributions to both mathematics and physics. It's a reminder that great scientists often have diverse backgrounds and interests, and it's important to explore different fields and collaborate with others to push the boundaries of knowledge.
 

1. Who was Joe Moyal?

Joe Moyal was a renowned mathematician who was born in Egypt in 1916 and later moved to Canada. He made significant contributions to the field of mathematics, particularly in the areas of probability and statistics.

2. What were some of Joe Moyal's achievements?

Joe Moyal published over 70 research papers and was a professor at several prestigious universities, including the University of Toronto and the University of Melbourne. He also received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Order of Canada and the Royal Society of Canada's Flavelle Medal.

3. What was Joe Moyal's most famous work?

Joe Moyal's most famous work was his development of the Moyal product, a mathematical formula used in quantum mechanics to describe the evolution of a system over time. This work had a significant impact on the field of physics and is still widely used today.

4. How did Joe Moyal approach mathematics?

Joe Moyal was known for his unconventional and creative approach to mathematics. He often used physical analogies and intuition to solve complex problems, rather than relying solely on rigorous mathematical proofs.

5. What was Joe Moyal's legacy?

Joe Moyal's legacy is his groundbreaking contributions to the fields of mathematics and physics. His work continues to influence and inspire scientists and mathematicians around the world. He is also remembered for his passion for teaching and his dedication to mentoring and supporting young mathematicians.

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