Kenneth P. Williams

Kenneth Powers Williams (August 25, 1887 – September 25, 1958) was a professor of mathematics at Indiana University, a distinguished soldier, and a Reserve Officers' Training Corps commander. He was known as the "Father of ROTC" at Indiana University.^[1]

Early life and education

Kenneth Powers Williams was born in

In 1909, Williams was named an instructor of mathematics in the Department of Mathematics at Indiana University. He was granted a leave from there in 1911 to attend Princeton University. In 1914, Williams returned and resumed his teaching career in the Department of Mathematics.^[1]

During his academic career at I.U., Williams served as an Assistant Professor from 1914-1919, an Associate Professor from 1919-1924, and as a Full Professor from 1924-1937. He was awarded the Chair of the Department of Mathematics in 1938 which he served as until 1944. Williams retired in 1957 as a Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus.^[1]

Williams made many noteworthy achievements in the fields of mathematics, astronomy, and history over his career.^[1] He is best known for his five-volume book, Lincoln Finds a General, published from 1949–1957. Williams had intended to write seven books, but became ill and died just before Volume 5 was published. Volume 1 was reprinted by Indiana University Press, Volumes 3 and 4 were reprinted by University of Kansas Press as "Grant Rises in the West." Another publisher, Macmilian Press, published the five-volume work. (See: Bibliography of Ulysses S. Grant) ^[2]

Military career

In addition to his career in education, Williams also had a successful military career. He first served as a

Williams married Mrs. Ellen (Laughlin) Scott on August 20, 1920.[2] They had no children.^[1]

Death

After several months of illness, Williams died on September 25, 1958.^[1]

Honors and awards

Williams received many commendations for his military service including the Indiana Distinguished Service Award.^[1] The main-belt asteroid, 1763 Williams, was named in his honor.^[2]

Mathematical articles

• Williams, K. P. (1913). "The solutions of non-homogeneous linear difference equations and their asymptotic form". Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 14 (2): 209–240.
  MR 1500945
  .
• Williams, K. P. (1913). "The asymptotic form of the function Ψ(x)". Bull. Amer. Math. Soc. 19 (9): 472–479.
  MR 1559396
  .
• Williams, K. P. (1922). "Note concerning the roots of an equation". Bull. Amer. Math. Soc. 28 (8): 394–396.
  MR 1560593
  .

• Kenneth P. Williams papers, 1772-1963, bulk 1934-1945 at the Indiana University Archives.
• Kenneth P. Williams at the Mathematics Genealogy Project
• Williams, Keneth P. (Kenneth Powers) (1887-1958); National Library of Australia
• doi:10.1090/s0002-9904-1921-03483-5
  .
• Williams, Kenneth P. (May 1921). "Review of Dynamics of the Airplane by Kenneth P. Williams". The American Mathematical Monthly. 28 (5): 218.
  JSTOR 2973757
  .