T. A. Burton received his Ph.D. in mathematics in 1964 from Washington State University. He has held positions at University of Alberta, Edmonton and Southern Illinois University, as well as short appointments at University of Memphis, University of Florence, and University of Madrid. He was twice a Fulbright Scholar, once as lecturer and once as researcher. He has received the American Oil Company Award as Outstanding University Teacher and has directed 13 doctoral dissertations. He has been with the Northwest Research Institute for 14 years, devoting full time to research, writing, and lecturing abroad. He has a well-established research record and is an editor of several mathematical journals.