Rosenhead, Louis

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ROSENHEAD, LOUIS

ROSENHEAD, LOUIS (1906–1984), British mathematician. Born in Leeds, Rosenhead began his teaching career in 1931 as an assistant lecturer at the University College of Wales. In 1933 he was appointed professor of applied mathematics at Liverpool University, a position he returned to in 1946 after six years' war service at the Ministry of Supply. He was dean of the university's science faculty in 1945–47, a member of its council 1956–65, and pro-vice chancellor 1961–65. He spent the years 1956–60 at the Haifa Technion, Israel. Elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1946, he was on its council from 1956 to 1958. Rosenhead is best known for his work in the field of fluid mechanics, especially the flow of fluids and the motion of the surface of the earth. He made a significant contribution to the theory of the stability of Karman vortex streams. He was part-author of Index of Mathematical Tables (1946) and A Selection of Tables for Use in Calculations of Compressible Airflow (1952), and edited Laminar Boundary Layers (1963).

[Julian Louis Meltzer]

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