James H. Simons. © Béatrice de Géa
The Board of Trustees and Officers of the National Institute of Social Sciences are saddened to inform you of the death of recent Gold Medal Honoree Dr. James H. Simons. Dr. Simons passed away on May 10, 2024 in New York City. He was 86 years old.
Jim, as he liked to be known, was Co-Founder and Chair Emeritus of the Simons Foundation, a charity which he founded in 1994 with his wife and current Simons Foundation Chair Marilyn H. Simons. Jim & Marilyn both received Gold Honor Medals for their many contributions to society at the 109th Annual Gold Medal Gala of the National Institute held in New York City on December 5th, 2023.
Jim was a highly accomplished mathematician and investor who turned his attention in recent years to philanthropy and the Simons Foundation, which is an organization dedicated to advancing the frontiers of research in mathematics and the basic sciences. The Foundation’s philanthropic activities include a major research initiative on the causes of autism, the establishment of an institute for research in mathematics and theoretical physics, and extensive support for research into the growing interface between the physical and life sciences.
Jim was a remarkable man who had a tremendous and broad-based positive impact on society, and the Trustees of the National Institute feel privileged to have been able to honor him and Marilyn at our last Gala. We extend our sincere condolences to Marilyn and all his surviving family. Rest in peace.
Further Reading:
Simons Foundation Co-Founder, Mathematician and Investor Jim Simons Dies at 86