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Frank Harary
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1921 births
   
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2005 deaths
   
20th century mathematicians
   
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MATHEMATICS


Harary's work in graph theory was diverse. Some topics of great interest to him were:

  • Graphical Enumeration , that is, counting graphs of a specified kind. He coauthored a book on the subject (Harary and Palmer 1973). The main difficulty is that two graphs that are isomorphic are not counted twice; thus, one has to apply Polya's theory of counting under group action. Harary was an expert in this.


  • Signed Graph s. Harary invented this branch of graph theory Harary, F. (1953-54), On the notion of balance of a signed graph. Michigan Math. Journal, vol. 2, pp. 143-146 and addendum preceding p. 1., which grew out of a problem of theoretical Social Psychology investigated by the psychologist Dorwin Cartwright and Harary Cartwright, D. and Harary, F. (1956), Structural balance: a generalization of Heider's theory. Psychological Review, vol. 63, pp. 277-293.


  • Applications of graph theory in numerous areas.



PERSONALITY


Graph theorists often say that Harary partitioned the field into people who liked him and people who didn't. He held strong opinions about mathematics that some supported (mostly his co-authors, of which there are many) and many opposed. He referred to himself as "Mr. Graph Theory" while at the University of Michigan.

He was known for his clear, concise style and quick thinking. In one instance, he is purported to have written a publishable paper, in one sitting, with two others at a cocktail party. Lore also claims that, when asked to referee, Harary rejected any paper that did not contain a picture.


BIBLIOGRAPHY

  • Harary, Frank, ''Graph Theory'' (1969), Addison–Wesley, Reading, MA.

  • Harary, Frank, and Palmer, Edgar M. , ''Graphical Enumeration'' (1973), Academic Press, New York, NY.



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