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Overstating their case? Reflections on British mathematics in the nineteenth century.

Authors :
Gray, Jeremy
Source :
BSHM Bulletin: Journal of the British Society for the History of Mathematics; Nov2006, Vol. 21 Issue 3, p178-185, 8p
Publication Year :
2006

Abstract

In a deliberately provocative first part to this paper, I argue that nineteenth-century British mathematicians had an unduly high opinion of themselves and a striking lack of appreciation for contemporary continental developments. I argue that this failure was rooted in the institutions that supported mathematics, and was only remedied towards the end of the century. In the more sober second half of the paper I ask if historians of mathematics have subscribed to this overestimate, and explore some related questions, among them what are historians doing when they write history: telling it as it was, or righting or defending the record? Historians of mathematics also need to consider British priorities for research in the nineteenth century, and a comparison with other minor players (such as Japan, Portugal, or Poland) might be illuminating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
17498430
Volume :
21
Issue :
3
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
BSHM Bulletin: Journal of the British Society for the History of Mathematics
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
23893931
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1080/17498430600964391