Mathematician Charles Bernard Bell, Jr., one of the leading African American mathematicians of the twentieth century, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in August 20, 1928.
At age 19 he graduated from Xavier University in 1947 and earned his Ph.D.
In mathematics from Notre Dame University in 1953.
From 1951 to 1955 he worked as a research engineer at Douglas Aircraft Company.
An assistant professor at Xavier University for two years, he then spent a year at Stanford University as a research associate.