George David Birkhoff was an American mathematician, best known for what is now called the ergodic theorem. Birkhoff was one of the most important leaders in American mathematics in his generation, and during his time he was considered by many to be the preeminent American mathematician. His house in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has been designated a National Historic Landmark.
He was born in Overisel Township, Michigan, the son of David Birkhoff and Jane Gertrude Droppers. The mathematician Garrett Birkhoff was his son.
Source: Wikipedia