Fonds 1308 - L. Terrell Gardner fonds

Lawrence Terrell Gardner was born on 22 September 1926 in Cleveland, OH. He entered Yale University, but left to serve in the U.S. Navy from 1944-1946. He received a BA in philosophy and education from Antioch College in 1950, after which he spent time working as an actuary at an insurance company and then as a math teacher at a Quaker preparatory school. He returned to university and received an MA and PhD in mathematics from Columbia University in 1959 and 1964, respectively.

Prof. Gardner taught in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Toronto from 1966 to 1991, where he specialized in C* algebras. He spearheaded the establishment of an undergraduate program in Peace Studies within University College, University of Toronto, and founded the University of Toronto branch of the United Campuses Against Nuclear War (UCAM). He was also a member of Science for Peace, Canadian Pugwash Group, the Group of 78, and Veterans Against Nuclear Arms.

Aside from his work as a mathematics professor and peace activist, Prof. Gardner was also an avid cyclist and choral singer. He died in Toronto on 22 December 2010.