Robert MacPherson (mathematician)

Robert MacPherson (born December 25, 1944) is a mathematician known for his work in topology, geometry, and representation theory. He is particularly recognized for his contributions to intersection homology, combinatorial geometry, and the development of perverse sheaves.

MacPherson received his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1970 under the supervision of Raoul Bott. He has held positions at Brown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he is currently a professor emeritus.

His most influential work includes the development of intersection homology with Mark Goresky in the late 1970s and early 1980s. This theory provides a generalization of Poincaré duality for singular algebraic varieties, a major breakthrough in algebraic topology. Intersection homology has found applications in various areas, including algebraic geometry, representation theory, and string theory.

MacPherson's work also extends to combinatorial geometry and matroids. He developed connections between arrangements of hyperplanes and matroids, contributing significantly to the understanding of their combinatorial and topological properties.

Furthermore, MacPherson has contributed to the understanding and application of perverse sheaves, a fundamental concept in modern representation theory and algebraic geometry. His work has helped to make this sophisticated theory more accessible and applicable to a wider range of problems.

MacPherson has received numerous awards and honors, including the Veblen Prize in Geometry in 1992 and the Wolf Prize in Mathematics in 2002. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences. His research continues to influence developments in several areas of mathematics.