Skip to main content

James Fell, Mathematics

James Michael Gardner Fell, professor emeritus of mathematics, died on December 16. He was 93.

Dr. Fell grew up in Vancouver, British Columbia, and lived there until he was 12, when he went to England to study at Eton College. When he was 17, he returned to Canada and attended University of British Columbia. He graduated at age 19 with a bachelor’s degree. He then earned a PhD in mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley, with a specialization in analysis. 

Dr. Fell taught mathematics at University of Washington, Seattle before coming to Penn.

He joined Penn in 1965 as a professor of mathematics and held that position until his retirement in 1991, when he became professor emeritus.

Dr. Fell had a passion for language and took courses on Sanskrit in Penn’s South Asian studies department. He also learned to speak Icelandic and published six books post-retirement on aspects of Icelandic Christianity. He and his wife visited Reykjavik, Iceland, every year for 20 years.

He is survived by his wife, Daphne; daughter, Rachel (Scott); son, Pete (Stefanie); and grandson, James.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to All Saints’ Church, 1325 Montgomery Ave, Wynnewood, PA 19096.

Back to Top