Professor Benjamin

(Faculty Advisor)

Dr. Arthur Benjamin is Smallwood Family Professor of Mathematics at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, California. Active in mental calculation for more than forty years, Professor Benjamin combined his enthusiasm for mathematics and magic to create “Mathemagics” demonstrations that he has performed for thousands of groups around the world. His energetic, entertaining, and educational program produced a highly successful TEDx talk at the University of Oxford where he was serving as a visiting professor.

As a mathematician, Professor Benjamin specializes in combinatorics and holds a Ph.D from Johns Hopkins University. His academic accomplishments and contributions to mathematical education have earned him numerous accolades, including being named “America’s Best Math Whiz” by Reader’s Digest Magazine and one of The 300 Best Professors by Princeton Review, and being selected as an inaugural fellow of the American Mathematical Society.

Outside of mathematics, Professor Benjamin is also an accomplished backgammon player, winning American Backgammon Tour Player of the Year in 1997; he currently ranks 9th on the Tour’s all-time standings. He was elected to the American Backgammon Hall of Fame in 2022.

You can find more information about Professor Benjamin in the performances/media section of this website or by visiting his website at the link below: