Tony Rothman, George Sudarshan

Tony Rothman, born in 1953, is an American theoretical physicist and author. He earned his B.A. from Swarthmore College and his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied under Richard Matzner. He further pursued post-doctoral research at Oxford, Moscow State University, and the University of Cape Town, working with prominent figures like Dennis Sciama and Yakov Zeldovich.

Rothman's academic career included teaching positions at Harvard, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bryn Mawr College, Princeton University, and NYU Tandon School of Engineering. His scientific research primarily focused on general relativity and cosmology, with contributions to the study of the early universe, including cosmic nucleosynthesis, black holes, inflationary cosmology, and gravitons. He also served as the scientific editor for Andrei Sakharov's Memoirs and has written for various popular science publications.

As a writer, Rothman has authored numerous books, including science fiction, popular science, and science history. His works explore diverse themes, and some have received notable recognition, such as his book "A Physicist on Madison Avenue" being nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. He also co-authored "Doubt and Certainty" with George Sudarshan and "Sacred Mathematics: Japanese Temple Geometry" with Hidetoshi Fukagawa, the latter winning an award for its historical account of sangaku.

Tony Rothman's academic journey led him to a career in theoretical physics, with a specialization in general relativity and cosmology. His doctoral studies were conducted at the University of Texas at Austin, followed by post-doctoral work at prestigious institutions including Oxford University, Moscow State University, and the University of Cape Town. During these periods, he collaborated with notable scientists such as Richard Matzner, Dennis Sciama, and Yakov Zeldovich. Rothman's research has delved into fundamental aspects of the early universe, contributing to the understanding of cosmic nucleosynthesis, black holes, inflationary cosmology, and gravitons. His engagement with the scientific community extended to editorial roles, notably as the scientific editor for Andrei Sakharov's Memoirs, showcasing his involvement in significant scientific discourse and historical documentation.

Beyond his scientific pursuits, Tony Rothman has a prolific literary and artistic output. His writing encompasses a range of genres, from science fiction, exemplified by his debut novel "The World is Round," to collections of short stories like "Censored Tales." He has also authored several popular science and science history books, including "A Physicist on Madison Avenue," which garnered a Pulitzer Prize nomination, and "Doubt and Certainty," co-written with George Sudarshan. "Sacred Mathematics: Japanese Temple Geometry," co-authored with Hidetoshi Fukagawa, received the Association of American Publisher's 2008 PROSE award for its historical exploration of sangaku. Rothman's creative endeavors also extend to playwriting, with works such as "The Magician and the Fool" and "The Sand Reckoner" exploring mathematical and historical themes.