Key Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Richard Dryden Field Jr. |
| Date of Birth | April 13, 1944 |
| Place of Birth | Pasadena, California |
| Family | Mother: Margaret Field (actress); Sister: Sally Field (actress); Stepfather: Jock Mahoney (actor/stuntman); Nephews: Peter Craig (screenwriter), Eli Craig (director) |
| Education | Undergraduate: University of California, Berkeley; Ph.D.: UC Berkeley, 1971 |
| Career | Emeritus Professor of Physics at the University of Florida; Collaborated with Richard Feynman at Caltech; Renowned for contributions to particle physics, particularly the “Field-Feynman” Monte Carlo model. |
| Research Interests | Particle physics, neural networks, collider phenomenology, perturbative QCD |
| Net Worth | Not publicly available |
Early Life
A prominent military and showbiz family raised Richard Dryden Field Jr. His childhood in Pasadena, California, shaped his academic and scientific career.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | April 13, 1944 |
| Parents | Margaret Field (actress); Richard Dryden Field (Army officer) |
| Stepparent | Jock Mahoney (actor/stuntman) |
| Sibling | Sally Field (Academy Award-winning actress) |
| Nephews | Peter Craig (screenwriter); Eli Craig (director) |
Education and Academic Career
A gymnastics scholarship at the University of California, Berkeley allowed Field to combine his love of physics with his athleticism. He studied fundamental particle behavior for his Ph.D. in physics.
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | University of California, Berkeley (Gymnastics scholarship) |
| Ph.D. | UC Berkeley, 1971, under John David Jackson |
| Postdoctoral | Brookhaven National Laboratory (1971-1973) |
| Caltech | Collaborated with Richard Feynman (1973-1980) |
| University of Florida | Professor (1980-present); Emeritus Professor |
Research Contributions
His “Field-Feynman” Monte Carlo model, widely used in high-energy physics research, is a major contribution to particle physics. His study on particle interactions in high-energy accelerators continues to affect the area.
| Research Focus | Details |
|---|---|
| Monte Carlo Model | Developed the “Field-Feynman” model for particle production |
| Key Areas | Neural networks, collider phenomenology, perturbative QCD |
| Involvement | Collider Detector at Fermilab |
| Citations | Two papers with over 1,000 citations each |
Family Connections
Beyond academics, Field is part of a notable family that has contributed to entertainment and academia. His connections to famous personalities highlight his scientific and creative abilities.
| Relative | Profession |
|---|---|
| Sister | Sally Field (Academy Award-winning actress) |
| Mother | Margaret Field (actress) |
| Stepparent | Jock Mahoney (actor/stuntman) |
| Nephew | Peter Craig (screenwriter, known for Top Gun: Maverick) |
| Nephew | Eli Craig (director, known for Tucker & Dale vs. Evil) |
FAQ
What is Richard D. Field known for?
The “Field-Feynman” Monte Carlo model and his collaboration with Richard Feynman are among Richard D. Field’s outstanding contributions to particle physics.
Where did Richard D. Field get his Ph.D.?
Richard D. Field received his Ph.D. in physics from Berkeley in 1971.
What are Field’s research interests?
Field studies particle physics, neural networks, collider phenomenology, and perturbative quantum chromodynamics.
What prominent family relatives does Richard D. Field have?
Richard D. Field’s sister Sally Field is an actress, and his nephews Peter Craig and Eli Craig are screenwriters and directors.
