Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Mathematics lecturer, James “Jims” Simons, passed away, Friday (10/5/2024). The news of Simons' death at the age of 86 was reported by his late wife, Marilyn, in New York, USA.
There is no further information regarding the cause of death. However, Simon is one of the world's richest lecturers.
Yes, Simons is the human embodiment of “two different backgrounds.” He began his career as a mathematics lecturer at Harvard University at the age of 23.
In the world of mathematics, Simons is known as a figure who has succeeded in breaking mathematical codes. This ability even attracted him to work at the US Ministry of Defense.
It didn't stop there, his love of mathematics eventually became the basis for creating a business. Simons gathered many mathematicians to creating trading models, analyzing information, and making predictions on stock market dynamics.
In autobiography The Man Who Solved The Market How Jim Simons Launched The Quant Revolution (2019), he tells how he founded an investment firm, Renaissance Technologies, in 1982. This is what made him a billionaire.
Forbes noted that he had assets US$ 30.7 billion or Rp. 482 trillion. With With that much wealth, he is the 51st richest person in the world.
Unique Hobbies
Despite his wealth, Simons has “unique hobbies.” He is not a stingy figure.
He is very active in the world of philanthropy. As someone who grew up in the academic world, he chose to allocate money for the development of science.
Since 1994, he founded the Simons Foundation, a foundation that has channeled trillions of rupiah in funds. Through the foundation, he focuses on providing money for the development of astrophysics, biology, mathematics, autism neuroscience and quantum physics.
Associated Press (AP) said that during his lifetime he had donated tens of trillions of rupiah to hundreds of philanthropic activities. His most famous donation was a donation to his alma mater, Stony Brook University.
In the official obituary written by the university, Simons gave away more than US$ 1 billion or Rp. 16 trillion in free money. This donation broke the record for the largest donation to an educational institution in the US.
This amount of funds does not take into account the costs incurred to build the research center. It is recorded that there are 8 science research centers that were established thanks to the mathematics lecturer's personal financial donations.
““Simons' support has resulted in growth in every corner of the Stony Brook campus and beyond, from the Renaissance School of Medicine and Simons Center for Geometry and Physics to the Simons STEM Scholars program, and much more,” the university said.
Interestingly, Simons' gift of funds was not in vain. The Simons Foundation's official website states that the majority of grant recipients have won awards, from the Nobel, Fields Medal, and other highest honors.
The foundation's scientific engagement efforts have also been recognized by prestigious organizations. Such as a Pulitzer, an Academy Award nomination, and several Emmy and Peabody Awards.
The size of Simons' donation means he is in 2nd place as the individual most interested in giving to charity Chronicle of Philanthropy in 2023, only slightly behind Warren Buffet. Now, Simons is gone, but thanks to his contributions his name remains immortal.
[Gambas:Video CNBC]
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