We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our colleague Benedict (“Dick”) Gross on December 19, 2025.

Benedict Gross was a distinguished and profoundly influential number theorist, best known for the Gross–Zagier theorem on the L-functions of elliptic curves, as well as numerous other fundamental contributions to algebraic number theory, representation theory, and arithmetic geometry. His many honors included a MacArthur Fellowship (1986), the Cole Prize in Algebra (1987), election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1992), the National Academy of Sciences (2004), and the American Philosophical Society (2017).

After spending most of his mathematical career as a professor at Harvard University (1985–2015), Dick joined the UCSD Department of Mathematics, where he taught several inspiring graduate courses and played an important role in the research life of our department, particularly within our number theory group. Dick was a generous mentor to students and junior faculty, widely admired for his charisma, depth and clarity of thought, intellectual generosity, and unyielding commitment to the mathematical community.

Benedict Gross will be deeply missed by the number theory community and the broader mathematical world. For more than four decades, he shaped the field through profound mathematical contributions and exceptional dedication as a teacher, mentor, leader, and colleague. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Professor of Medicine Jill Mesirov, his sons Sam and Isaac, and his three grandsons.

While we develop more material for our website, please refer to the tribute posted by Harvard University:

https://www.math.harvard.edu/in-memory-of-professor-emeritus-benedict-gross/