Whittaker was elected as a fellow of Trinity College in 1896 and became first Smith's prizeman in 1897 for a work on pure mathematics, namely on uniform functions.
He was Pemberton and Yeats prizeman, and Bladwin scholar and research scholar in 1927.
In 1880 he graduated as Senior Wrangler (the top First Class student) and he was first Smith's prizeman.
Further examinations saw him become first Smith's prizeman and he was elected a fellow of Peterhouse.
He graduated in 1850 as second wrangler and Smith's prizeman.