Answer the following question: Facts: - known for: crank -- nicolson method - death date: 03 october 2006 - field: mathematics - doctoral advisor: william lawrence bragg - work institution: brunel university - birth date: 06 february 1916 - name: john crank - nationality: united kingdom - image: johncrank.jpg - birth place: hindley , lancashire , england - alma mater: manchester university Based on these bullet points, write a short biography describing the life of john crank .
Answer:
john crank -lrb- 6 february 1916 -- 3 october 2006 -rrb- was a mathematical physicist , best known for his work on the numerical solution of partial differential equations .crank was born in hindley in lancashire , england .his father was a carpenter 's pattern-maker .crank studied at manchester university from 1934 to 1938 , where he was awarded a bsc and msc as a student of lawrence bragg and douglas hartree .in 1953 , manchester university awarded him a dsc .he worked on ballistics during the second world war , and was then a mathematical physicist at courtaulds fundamental research laboratory from 1945 to 1957 .in 1957 , he was appointed as the first head of department of mathematics at brunel college in acton .he served two terms of office as vice-principal of brunel before his retirement in 1981 , when he was granted the title of professor emeritus .crank 's main work was on the numerical solution of partial differential equations and , in particular , the solution of heat-conduction problems .he is best known for his work with phyllis nicolson on the heat equation , which resulted in the crank -- nicolson method .he was a keen gardener and established the john crank garden as a retirement gift to brunel university .he was married to his wife , joan , for 63 years who died in 2005 .they were survived by their two children .