Thomas Garrity
Professor of Mathematics, Williams College
Garrity's research is in algebraic and differential geometry and in
number theory. At Williams, Garrity teaches many different courses,
including multivariable calculus, Fourier analysis, number theory,
Galois theory, and algebraic geometry. He has been instrumental in the
Williams' SMALL research program, which has produced more publications
than any other in the country; he alone has advised 37 summer research
students.
His "All the Mathematics You Missed (But Need to Know for Graduate
School)," published by Cambridge University Press, is a bestseller among
technical books in mathematics. It is an overview of topics covered in
undergraduate mathematics including linear algebra, vector calculus,
differential geometry, real analysis, point-set topology, differential
equations, probability theory, complex analysis, abstract algebra, and
more.
Garrity graduated from the University of Texas in 1981, earning both a
B.A. with highest honors in philosophy and a B.S. with highest honors in
mathematics. He received his Ph.D. from Brown University in 1986.
Before coming to Williams in 1989, he held the post-doctoral position of
G.C. Evans Instructor of Mathematics at Rice University, where he
received the Nicolas Salgo Outstanding Teacher Award.
He spent the 1992-93 academic year as a visiting professor at the
University of Washington and the 2000-01 academic year as a visiting
professor at the University of Michigan.