Men of Mathematics Volume One

by Eric Temple Bell

Men of Mathematics: The Lives and Achievements of the Great Mathematicians from Zeno to Poincaré is a book on the history of mathematics published in 1937 by Scottish-born American mathematician and science fiction writer E. T. Bell (1883–1960). After a brief chapter on three ancient mathematicians, it covers the lives of about forty mathematicians who flourished in the seventeenth through nineteenth centuries. The book is illustrated by mathematical discussions, with emphasis on mainstream mathematics.

To keep the interest of readers, the book typically focuses on unusual or dramatic aspects of its subjects' lives. Men of Mathematics has inspired many young people, including the young John Forbes Nash Jr. and Freeman Dyson, to become mathematicians. It is not intended as a rigorous history, includes many anecdotal accounts, and presents a somewhat idealised picture of mathematicians, their personalities, research and controversies.

Genres: Mathematics, Science

322 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1937

About the author

Eric Temple Bell (February 7, 1883 – December 21, 1960) was a mathematician and science fiction author born in Scotland who lived in the U.S. for most of his life. He published his non-fiction under his given name and his fiction as John Taine.

Reviews

[Mike Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite books it inspired me to want to to be a mathematician - I did not in the end become one but I read Maths at University and at least was not lost unlike many if not most of my fellow student at the first Mathematical Analysis lecture..

I believe that it would do far more good to teach a Maths (and Science in general) by a historical approach as Bell does in these volumes. The usual way of teaching the subject gives the impression that Maths is a dead subject which can solve problems, often seeming to be very artificial.

[Hasnain · Rating 5 out of 5]

W book. Felt amazing to read. To read about the lives and the minds of the greats oof. W book indeed.

[James]

Bought next to the Thames on Southbank

[Elizabeth Finnegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is interesting on many levels, not just for its explanation of mathematical breakthroughs but also for the attitudes it conveys. Published in 1965 before Fermat's final theorem had been proved, it suggests that a basic proof is elementary and geometry is simple. No-one would get away with that now. Also shocking are attitudes to women and gay men.

Surprizing but not shocking is how it took before certain theories e.g. principle of duality in 1840s entered into mathematical thought. On the other hand, helpful to know that it was Pythagoras who stated a proof is based on assumptions, and Gauss who asserted that a proof that leads to absurdity is no proof at all. All educational researchers should be familiar with these ideas.

Although the author claims he will not dwell on biographical details, he does provide sufficient context to elicit discussion on why this book is called Men of Mathematics and not People in Mathematics.

A fascinating read.