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A History of the Study of Mathematics at Cambridge
For centuries, Cambridge University has attracted some of the world's greatest mathematicians. This 1889 book gives a compelling account of how mathematics developed at Cambridge from the middle ages to the late nineteenth century, from the viewpoint of a leading scholar based at Trinity College who was closely involved in teaching the subject. The achievements of notable individuals including Newton and his school are set in the context of the history of the university, its sometimes uneasy relationship with the town community, the college system, and the origin and growth of the mathematical tripos.
Excerpt:
I have therefore added in chapter XI. (as a sort of appendix) a very brief sketch of the general history of the university for any of my readers who may not be acquainted with the larger works which deal with that subject. I hope that the addition of the chapter and of the similar chapter dealing with the organization of studies in the mediaeval university will sufficiently justify me in the use in the earlier chapters of various technical words, such as regents, caput, tripos, praevaricator, &c.
I have tried to give references in the footnotes to the authorities on which I have mainly relied. In the few cases where no reference is inserted, I have had to compile my account from various sources. Of the numerous dictionaries of biography which I have consulted the only ones which have proved of much use are the Biographica Britannica, six volumes, London, 1747 - 66 (second edition, enlarged, letters A to Fas only, five volumes, 1778 - 93); the Penny Cyclopaedia, twenty-seven volumes, London, 1833 - 43; J. C. Poggendorff's Biographisch-Literarisches Handworterbuch zur Geschichte der exacten Wissenschaften, two volumes, Leipzig, 1863; and the new Dictionary of national biography, which at present only contains references to those whose names commence with one of the early letters of the alphabet.
Excerpt:
I have therefore added in chapter XI. (as a sort of appendix) a very brief sketch of the general history of the university for any of my readers who may not be acquainted with the larger works which deal with that subject. I hope that the addition of the chapter and of the similar chapter dealing with the organization of studies in the mediaeval university will sufficiently justify me in the use in the earlier chapters of various technical words, such as regents, caput, tripos, praevaricator, &c.
I have tried to give references in the footnotes to the authorities on which I have mainly relied. In the few cases where no reference is inserted, I have had to compile my account from various sources. Of the numerous dictionaries of biography which I have consulted the only ones which have proved of much use are the Biographica Britannica, six volumes, London, 1747 - 66 (second edition, enlarged, letters A to Fas only, five volumes, 1778 - 93); the Penny Cyclopaedia, twenty-seven volumes, London, 1833 - 43; J. C. Poggendorff's Biographisch-Literarisches Handworterbuch zur Geschichte der exacten Wissenschaften, two volumes, Leipzig, 1863; and the new Dictionary of national biography, which at present only contains references to those whose names commence with one of the early letters of the alphabet.
- GenresHistoryMathematics
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1889
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About the author
W.W. Rouse Ball
40 books7 followersWalter William Rouse Ball, known as W. W. Rouse Ball (14 August 1850 – 4 April 1925), was a British mathematician, lawyer, and fellow at Trinity College, Cambridge from 1878 to 1905. He was also a keen amateur magician, and the founding president of the Cambridge Pentacle Club in 1919, one of the world's oldest magic societies.
Rouse Ball was educated at University College School, he entered Trinity College, Cambridge in 1870, where he became a scholar and the first winner of Smith's Prize. He gained his BA in 1874 as second Wrangler and then became a Fellow of Trinity in 1875, which he remained for the rest of his life.
He is buried at the Parish of the Ascension Burial Ground in Cambridge, and is commemorated in the naming of a small pavilion situated on Jesus Green in Cambridge. The Rouse Ball Professorship of Mathematics and the Rouse Ball Professorship at English Law, both held at Cambridge, were created in 1927 from a bequest by Rouse Ball.
Rouse Ball was educated at University College School, he entered Trinity College, Cambridge in 1870, where he became a scholar and the first winner of Smith's Prize. He gained his BA in 1874 as second Wrangler and then became a Fellow of Trinity in 1875, which he remained for the rest of his life.
He is buried at the Parish of the Ascension Burial Ground in Cambridge, and is commemorated in the naming of a small pavilion situated on Jesus Green in Cambridge. The Rouse Ball Professorship of Mathematics and the Rouse Ball Professorship at English Law, both held at Cambridge, were created in 1927 from a bequest by Rouse Ball.
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