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John M. Howie

Brief Biography

I studied in Aberdeen and Oxford, and after appointments in Glasgow and Stirling I became a professor in St Andrews in 1970. My chair, the Regius Chair of Mathematics, is theoretically in the gift of the Queen, though in practice she accepts the recommendation of the university. It was founded by King Charles II in 1668, and the first holder was James Gregory.

I retired in 1997, but have remained reasonably active as a mathematician. In particular I have written three undergraduate textbooks. See below for details
For more detail, see my Curriculum Vitae

Research

My research over many years has been in the algebraic theory of semigroups, with particular interest in amalgamation theory and in the study of transformation semigroups. Among my publications is a very influential monograph, An introduction to semigroup theory (Academic Press, 1976). This is now out of print, but a completely revised, extended and updated monograph, Fundamentals of semigroup theory (Oxford University Press, 1995) is now available.

An undergraduate textbook, Real Analysis (ISBN 1 85233 314 6), published by Springer in the S.U.M.S. series, appeared in the spring of 2001.

Contents

“The most striking feature of Real Analysis is not so much its content (which is absolutely standard fare) but the author's Ferrar-like concern for the reader's understanding which shines through on every page of this carefully written and carefully paced text.” - Mathematical Gazette.
A sequel, Complex Analysis (ISBN 1 85233 733 8) , appeared in June 2003.

Contents

“Howie has written an outstanding book on complex variables. . . .
Summing up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals” - CHOICE.

“ Howie's book is a gem . . .
So, clearly, I think this is a terrific book.
I'm going to use it the first chance I get.
And I recommend it very, very highly.” - MAA Online Book Review Column. 



In 2006 I published a third book, entitled Fields and Galois 
Theory (ISBN 1-85233-986-1), in the Springer S.U.M.S. series.


Contents








My Erdös 
Number is 2, as a result of a joint paper (no. 47 in the list) 
with J. L. Selfridge.









From1976 until 1998 I was an editor, and for several years a member 
of the Council,  of 
Semigroup 
Forum.
From 1995 to 1999 I was a Communicating Editor of 
Communications 
in Algebra.
Since 2006 I have been Curator of the  Royal 
Society of Edinburgh, with  duties that include  oversight of  
publications, including obituaries.






Contributions to Education



Over many years I have been involved in the development of secondary 
school education, both in mathematics and more generally.  The Howie 
Report of 1992 was influential in shaping government policy regarding 
the future of secondary education in Scotland.






Honours



1982:  Keith Prize of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, for work on 
semigroups published in the Society's journal.



1993:  C.B.E. (Commander of the Order of the British Empire), for 
services to education. 




2000: Honorary degree of D.Univ. from the Open University.










Hobbies





For many years I have been an active amateur musician.  In Aberdeen in the 
fifties I studied organ with the late James McAdam, and I have held 
church organist posts in various places.  Since 1978 I have been Organist and 
Choir Director at  Hope Park Church in St Andrews, and I am currently 
Treasurer of the St Andrews Music Club.





My other main musical interest is in singing.   I am a member 
of the University Renaissance Group, and have had the exciting experience of 
singing in some of the great cathedrals of Europe.  I am a founder member 
and past president of the 
St Andrews Chorus. 
In addition, my solo recitals have covered a great variety of vocal music, from German 
Lieder to Victorian parlour songs to Noel Coward.  











How to find me



E-mail: jmh@st-andrews.ac.uk



Telephone (Office): +44 (0)1334 463746

Telephone (Home): +44 (0)1334 474103





Fax (Office): +44 (0)1334 463748



Business Address: School of Mathematics and 
Statistics, University of 
St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9SS, Scotland



Home Address: Longacre, 19 Strathkinness High Road, St Andrews, 
Fife, KY16 9UA, Scotland








John M. Howie, September, 2007







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