Writing the History of Mathematics - Its Historical Development [Paperback]

Joseph W. Dauben (Editor), Christoph J. Scriba (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Science Networks. Historical Studies | Publication Date: November 11, 2002

As an historiographic monograph, this book offers a detailed survey of the professional evolution and significance of an entire discipline devoted to the history of science. It provides both an intellectual and a social history of the development of the subject from the first such effort written by the ancient Greek author Eudemus in the Fourth Century BC, to the founding of the international journal, Historia Mathematica, by Kenneth O. May in the early 1970s.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book, a historiographical one, is very useful as a reference.... The book is unique. It should be in all libraries that support graduate level history and philosophy of science and mathematics. Other libraries should consider purchasing it. Individuals familiar with the subject may wish to own it. Beginners should start with histories."   —Mathematical Reviews "It is really a valuable monograph which should be studied by every historian of mathematics."   —Zentralblatt Math "How good is the book? Well, quite good.... The main content of the other half is a collection of brief biographies of many significant historians of mathematics. I am very glad to have these.... Meanwhile, most history fanatics will want to have access to this book. . . . The upshot is that this is a book that should be in any library that tries to have a complete set of historical source material."   —MAA Online "This historiographic monograph is a great step forward, both in restoring this image and in detailing how histories of mathematics have been written.... The value of this book is further enhanced by a glossary of foreign terms and an extensive index. Anyone who is interested in the history of mathematics will enjoy and use this work.... Highly recommended."   —CHOICE "Forty-four authors from many countries contributed. …There is biography section with portraits, as well as an extensive bibliography."   —BookNews

From the Back Cover

As an historiographic monograph, this book offers the first detailed survey of the professional evolution and significance of an entire discipline devoted to the history of science. Basically, Writing the History of Mathematics provides both an intellectual and a social history of the development of the subject from the first such effort written by the ancient Greek author Eudemus in the Fourth Century BC, to the founding of the international journal, Historia Mathematica, by Kenneth O. May in the early 1970s. A special project of the International Commission on History of Mathematics, this work is the result of more than ten years of collaboration by a team of 32 experts, each writing about the history of mathematics in their own countries or regions, and drawing upon extensive research and archival study. Divided into three parts, Writing the History of Mathematics begins with country-by-country surveys from ancient times to the end of the 20th century, covering virtually every part of the world where the history of mathematics has been written. In addition to individuals, such institutions as universities, academies, institutes, libraries, and the like are also covered, including journals, encyclopedias, and other collective projects that promote history of mathematics. The second part of the book contains biographies of 300 historians of mathematics, along with bibliographies of their works and relevant biographical sources. The third part of the book provides a comprehensive bibliography of the most important literature devoted to the history of mathematics in Western languages. The book also includes portraits of twenty-five historians of mathematics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 730 pages
• Publisher: Birkhäuser Basel; 1 edition (November 11, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 3764361670
• ISBN-13: 978-3764361679
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.7 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,942,877 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)