1928 – 2023
Martin Davis (1928-2023) was an American mathematician and computer scientist known for his foundational contributions to computability theory and mathematical logic. He is best known for his work on Hilbert's tenth problem, which he helped prove unsolvable, and for his writings on the philosophy of mathematics and the history of computation.
Co-proved the unsolvability of Hilbert's tenth problem (MRDP theorem)
Developed the Davis-Putnam algorithm for propositional satisfiability
Authored 'Computability and Unsolvability', a foundational text in the field
Wrote 'The Universal Computer' tracing the intellectual history of computing
Advanced Tarski's undefinability theorem in discussions of formal semantics