b. 1939
M. J. (Max) Cresswell is a New Zealand analytic philosopher specializing in modal logic and formal semantics. He is best known for co-authoring foundational textbooks on modal logic with G. E. Hughes and for his work on structured meanings and possible worlds semantics. His research has significantly shaped how philosophers and logicians understand the compositional semantics of modal languages.
Co-authored 'An Introduction to Modal Logic' (1968) and 'A New Introduction to Modal Logic' (1996) with G. E. Hughes, standard reference works in the field
Developed the theory of structured meanings as an alternative to possible worlds propositions
Advanced the formal semantics of modal languages, including arguments against actualist approaches that lack standard compositional treatments
Contributed to intensional logic and the semantics of propositional attitude reports
Long-term faculty member at Victoria University of Wellington, shaping modal logic in Australasian philosophy