Robert Charles Thompson (1937–1966): A Synthesis of Masters and Jazz Robert Charles Thompson (April 21, 1937 – December 10, 1995) was an American mathematician who gained international renown for his research on linear algebra and matrix theory. However, beyond the academic realm, Thompson achieved remarkable artistic recognition as a figurative painter whose canvases pulsed with vibrant color and bold forms—a style profoundly influenced by both Old Masters and the improvisational spirit of jazz. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, into a middle-class family, Thompson’s early life was marked by s…