Calculus textbook author dies at 80

Calculus textbook author dies at 80

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Louis Leithold, who
wrote one of the most widely used calculus textbooks
and helped change the way the subject is taught, has
died. He was 80.

Leithold was found dead April 29 at his Los Angeles
home by the parent of a worried student. The coroner's
office said he died of natural causes.

Leithold wrote "The Calculus," which became a standard
text and was credited with changing the way the
subject is studied. The book, first published in 1968,
is widely used in high schools and universities and is
in its seventh printing.

He was 72 when he declined to retire and instead
launched a calculus program at Malibu High School
after being approached by a teacher.

"He inspired you to do mathematics. His face would
just light up," said student Matthew Mesher, 17.

Among the many educators he influenced was Jaime
Escalante, whose success teaching calculus to poor,
largely minority students in East Los Angeles was
chronicled in the 1988 film "Stand and Deliver."

"I called him my adviser," Escalante said Saturday.
"He was one of the great mathematicians. His book had
beautiful problems. It made us believe that anybody
could do calculus."

Leithold held a doctorate in math and taught at
numerous schools during his long career, including
California State University at Los Angeles, the
University of Southern California, Pepperdine
University and the Open University of Great Britain.


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