In Memoriam: John Henry Holland—a pioneer of complex adaptive systems research (February 2, 1929–August 9, 2015)

Abstract

“The study of cas is a difficult, exciting task. The returns are likely to be proportionate to the difficulty.” Holland (2006) On August 9, 2015, cancer took Prof. John Henry Holland away from us. Prof. Holland was a pioneer of Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) research and a true inspiration. He is known not only for his work on CAS, Holland (1962, 1992)—which he would fondly write as “cas”—but also for his seminal work on adaptation in natural and artificial systems leading to the creation of genetic algorithms and eventually the fields of evolutionary computation, Holland (1995) and Learning Classifier Systems, Holland and Holyoak (1989). Holland was a truly interdisciplinary academic. He had an undergraduate degree in Physics from MIT (1950), an M.A. in Mathematics (1954) and possibly the first ever PhD in Computer Science (1959), both from the University of Michigan—a place where he also subsequently served as a Professor of Psychology, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Holland leaves behind his legacy in the form of a large number of thought-provoking articles, video lectures, books, and inspired people—ranging from colleagues, fellows and students to budding complexity enthusiasts. Two of his recent books summarize his views on CAS in both a longer, Holland (2012) as well as a shorter form, Holland (2014). It is easy to foresee that these works will serve not only as a guide to CAS but also guidance for future generations. Holland will indeed be greatly missed. Links to some of his online obituaries are as follows: Melanie Mitchell http://tinyurl.com/qcj22tv National Center for Science Education http://tinyurl.com/pm7ga8y New York Times http://tinyurl.com/p5cd22u Santa Fe Institute http://tinyurl.com/qhkgtxd The Scientist http://tinyurl.com/pns6t64 University of Michigan http://tinyurl.com/obbdpx5 Washington Post http://tinyurl.com/oalp27x