Background
Whittaker was born 7 March 1905 in Cambridge, the son of mathematician Edmund Taylor Whittaker.
Whittaker was born 7 March 1905 in Cambridge, the son of mathematician Edmund Taylor Whittaker.
In 1927 started his academic career as an assistant lecturer at Edinburgh University (obtaining a Doctor of Science), followed by a fellowship at Pembroke College, Cambridge, before becoming a professor of pure mathematics at Liverpool University in 1933.
He went to Fettes College in Edinburgh, then Edinburgh University at the age of 15, followed by Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1923. The same year married Iona Mhari Natalie Elliott: they had two sons. During the Second World War he served with the 8th Army on Field-Marshal Montgomery"s staff
After the war he returned to Liverpool, becoming Dean of Science, then in 1953 moved to Sheffield to take up the post of Vice-Chancellor.
During his office the University expanded from 2500 to 7000 students requiring the appointment of many new staff and the construction of many buildings. However, he also had to oversee the first closure of an English university department, the Department of Mining.
His office covered the centenary celebration of the University in 1955, including a visit by the Queen. He retired from this position in 1965, and was honoured by being given the freedom of the city of Sheffield.
In retirement he expanded his other interests in art and archeology, collecting watercolours and Persian antiques.
He died 29 January 1984. There were early papers (1926-1928) on quantum theory, but his main work was on complex analysis. J. M. Whitaker also made some significant development in the cardinal function theory of his father, East. T. Whittaker.
Royal Society.
