Skip to main content

William L. Pardon

Professor Emeritus of Mathematics
Mathematics
Box 90320, Durham, NC 27708-0320
219 Physics Bldg, Durham, NC 27708
Office hours T, 1:30-3:00
W, 12:00-2:30  

Overview


In [1] an old question of de Rham about the topological classification of rotations of Euclidean space was largely answered in the affirmative.

Methods of algebraic K-theory were used to study quadratic forms defined over an affine k-algebra in [2] and [4], and to relate their properties to geometric properties of the variety underlying the k-algebra ([3]).

More recently Professor Pardon has studied the algebraic topology and differential geometry of singular spaces ([5], [6], [10]). In particular [5] and [6] examine how the singularities of a space limit the existence of characteristic classes; on the other hand, in the case of arbitrary Hermitian locally symmetric spaces, [10] shows how characteristic classes on the smooth locus may be extended canonically over the singularities, even when the tangent bundle does not so extend.

Paper [7] looks at the arithmetic genus, in the sense of L2-cohomology, of singular algebraic surfaces. In [8] Professor Pardon and Professor Stern verify a conjecture of MacPherson and settle the questions partially answered in [7]; in [9] they give an analytic description of the Hodge structure on the intersection homology of a variety with isolated singularities.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Professor Emeritus of Mathematics · 2020 - Present Mathematics, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences

In the News


Published April 14, 2015
Duke Junior Lindsey Brown Named Goldwater Scholar

View All News

Recent Publications


Chern classes of automorphic vector bundles

Journal Article Inventiones Mathematicae · December 1, 2002 Full text Cite

Pure hodge structure on the L2-cohomology of varieties with isolated singularities

Journal Article Journal fur die Reine und Angewandte Mathematik · 2001 Cite

L2 -∂-cohomology of complex projective varieties

Journal Article Journal of the American Mathematical Society · January 1, 1991 Full text Cite
View All Publications

Recent Grants


Quadratic Forms on Schemes and Geometry of Varieties

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2000 - 2005

Geometry and Topology of Singular Spaces

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 1995 - 1998

Geometry & Topology of Singular Spaces

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 1995 - 1998

View All Grants

Education, Training & Certifications


Princeton University · 1974 Ph.D.
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor · 1969 B.A.