Joseph L. Doob Prize

The Joseph L. Doob Prize of the American Mathematical Society (AMS) awards $5,000 (U.S.) every three years for "a single, relatively recent, outstanding research book that makes a seminal contribution to the research literature, reflects the highest standards of research exposition, and promises to have a deep and long-term impact in its area." The prize, endowed in 2005 by Paul and Virginia Halmos, is named in honor of AMS President Joseph L. Doob, who was Paul Halmos's doctoral advisor in the department of mathematics at the University of Illinois. According to Paul Halmos, "Doob was the first well-informed modern mathematician in the department". In order for a mathematical research book to be eligible for the prize, it must have been published within the past 6 calendar years of the year of its nomination. The prize was originally named the AMS Book Prize, but after the first award was renamed the Doob Prize.