Origins & Early Life

Richard Manning Karp (born January 3, 1935) is an American computer scientist and computational theorist at the University of California, Berkeley. He is most notable for his research in the theory of algorithms, for which he received the 1985 ACM Turing Award, The Benjamin Franklin Medal in Computer and Cognitive Science in 2004, and the Kyoto Prize in 2008. Karp was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering (1992) for major contributions to the theory and application of NP-completeness, constructing efficient combinatorial algorithms, and applying probabilistic methods in computer science. Born to parents Abraham and Rose Karp in Boston, Massachusetts, Karp has three younger siblings: Robert, David, and Carolyn.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His family was Jewish, and he grew up in a small apartment, in a then mostly Jewish neighborhood of Dorchester in Boston. Both his parents were Harvard graduates (his mother eventually obtaining her Harvard degree at age 57 after taking evening courses), while his father had had ambitions to go to medical school after Harvard, but became a mathematics teacher as he could not afford the medical school fees. He attended Harvard University, where...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• 14th Dalai Lama — Contemporary (Born in 1935) (1935): Spiritual leader of Tibet and head of Tibetan Buddhism since 1940.
• A. J. Foyt — Contemporary (Born in 1935) (1935): Legendary American racing driver, known for four-time Indy 500 victory.
• Abraham Isaac Kook — Contemporary (Died in 1935) (1935): Pioneering Orthodox Rabbi and Father of Religious Zionism.
• Alexei Stakhanov — Shared historical date (01-03 · Born) (1906): Soviet mining celebrity and pioneer of the Stakhanovite productivity movement.
• Anna May Wong — Shared historical date (01-03 · Born) (1905): Pioneering Chinese-American star, recognized for international film success.
• Adnan Khashoggi — Historical peer (Born in 1935) (1935): Saudi businessman and arms dealer, known as 'The Great Gatsby of the Middle East'
• Alain Delon — Historical peer (Born in 1935) (1935): Iconic French actor, producer, and cinematic leading man of the 20th century.
• Alex Honnold — Historical peer (Born in 1985) (1985): Pioneering free solo climber, famous for conquering El Capitan.
• Alexander Ovechkin — Historical peer (Born in 1985) (1985): Record-setting Russian left winger and captain for the Washington Capitals.
• A. A. K. Niazi — Historical peer (Died in 2004) (2004): Pakistani general who commanded Eastern Command during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.
• 1935 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1935
• January 3 (01-03) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 3