Hal Abelson

Hal Abelson
Abelson in 2007
Born
Harold Abelson

(1947-04-26) April 26, 1947 (age 77)[2]
Alma mater
Known for
Awards
Scientific career
FieldsComputer science education
Amorphous computing
InstitutionsMassachusetts Institute of Technology
ThesisTopologically Distinct Conjugate-Varieties with Finite Fundamental-Group (1973)
Doctoral advisorDennis Sullivan[1]
Doctoral students
Websitewww.csail.mit.edu/person/hal-abelson Edit this at Wikidata

Harold Abelson (born April 26, 1947)[2] is an American mathematician and computer scientist. He is a professor of computer science and engineering in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a founding director of both Creative Commons[5] and the Free Software Foundation,[6] creator of the MIT App Inventor platform, and co-author of the widely-used textbook Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs, sometimes also referred to as "the wizard book."

He directed the first implementation of the language Logo for the Apple II, which made the language widely available on personal computers starting in 1981; and published a widely selling book on Logo in 1982. Together with Gerald Jay Sussman, Abelson developed MIT's introductory computer science subject, The Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs (called by the course number, 6.001), a subject organized around the idea that a computer language is primarily a formal medium for expressing ideas about methodology, rather than just a way to get a computer to perform operations. Abelson and Sussman also cooperate in codirecting the MIT Project on Mathematics and Computation. The MIT OpenCourseWare (OCW) project was spearheaded by Abelson and other MIT faculty.[3]

Abelson led an internal investigation of MIT's choices and role in the prosecution of Aaron Swartz by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which concluded that MIT did nothing wrong legally, but recommended that MIT consider changing some of its internal policies.

  1. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference mathgene was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Date information sourced from Library of Congress Authorities data, via corresponding WorldCat Identities linked authority file (LAF).
  3. ^ a b Abelson, Hal (2008). "The Creation of OpenCourseWare at MIT". Journal of Science Education and Technology. 17 (2): 164–174. Bibcode:2008JSEdT..17..164A. doi:10.1007/s10956-007-9060-8. hdl:1721.1/37585. S2CID 110449905.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference sicp was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "Creative Commons: History". Archived from the original on October 7, 2011. Retrieved October 9, 2011.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference off was invoked but never defined (see the help page).