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R. L. Moore: Mathematician & Teacher (Spectrum Series)

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The name of R. L. Moore appears throughout the mathematical literature, primarily for the Moore method of teaching, secondarily for the achievements of his mathematical progeny and thirdly for his mathematical output. Since his output was considerable, this order says something for the significance of the first two. The Moore method of instruction involved no textbooks, no lectures and no conferring between the students. The naïve person would argue that it is inappropriate to refer to it as a method of teaching. However, it did involve a great deal of instructor involvement, largely directing the students by asking appropriate questions and critiquing student work. As would be expected with any unusual teaching strategy, the students who succeeded praised it and those who didn't generally have a negative opinion. The best way to evaluate it is to examine how well his students did in their profession, and in that area, he has no peer. Three of his students served as president of the American Mathematical Society and three others were vice-president. Five of his students served as president of the Mathematical Association of America, which makes him the equivalent of the founder of a political dynasty.
While Moore was indeed brilliant in his work, he was also very cantankerous. He had strong opinions on many things outside of mathematics, and he did not hesitate to make them known when he felt it necessary. Being a man of the south, he was opposed to many of the liberal trends of the late fifties and sixties, putting his arguments forward in a states rights context. The story of his last years as a professor and how the administration tried to remove him is amazing. There was point/counterpoint, devious manipulation and some of the most obfuscated doubletalk that has ever appeared in an academic setting. Moore was also in the middle of many of the internal political battles that took place at the University of Texas, and some of them had national ramifications.
R. L. Moore was a powerful figure in the American mathematical community of the twentieth century. He is arguably the most powerful that was not imported, and he was involved in research, training high quality mathematicians and fought many political battles against anyone who disagreed with him. This biography is an honest appraisal of the man and the many ways he impacted the mathematical profession.

Published in Journal of Recreational Mathematics, reprinted with permission.