Robert Ash (engineer)

Robert Ash is an American electrical engineer known for his contributions to information theory, coding theory, and stochastic processes. He is the author of several influential textbooks in these areas, widely used in university courses around the world.

Ash received his Ph.D. in Mathematics from Columbia University. His academic career was primarily spent at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he was a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

His notable books include:

• Information Theory (1965, Dover reprint 1990) - A comprehensive introduction to information theory, covering topics such as entropy, channel capacity, and source coding.

• Basic Probability Theory (1970, Dover reprint 2008) - A text covering fundamental concepts in probability theory, including random variables, distributions, and limit theorems.

• Real Analysis and Probability (1972) - A more advanced treatment of probability theory, building upon a foundation of real analysis.

• Complex Variables (1971, Dover reprint 2007) - A textbook focused on complex analysis.

• A Primer of Abstract Mathematics (1998) - An introduction to abstract mathematical concepts.

Ash's work is characterized by its rigor, clarity, and mathematical depth. His textbooks remain valuable resources for students and researchers in engineering and mathematics. He has influenced generations of engineers and mathematicians through his teaching and writing.