1925-

British mathematician who received his Ph.D. from Cambridge University in 1949, after serving in the Royal Air Force. He is best known for his work on catastrophe theory, and he has publicized the applications of catastrophe theory in the biological, behavioral, and physical sciences. In 1978 he gave the Christmas Lectures at the Royal Institution, which ushered in the popular Mathematics Master classes for 13-year-old students. He received many honors and awards in England and abroad.