Synopses & Reviews
This unique history surveys the mathematical contributions of numerous individuals noted mainly for their groundbreaking activities in other fields. It evaluates the discoveries of such luminaries as Plato, Leonardo da Vinci, Omar Khayyam, Jan de Witt, Denis Diderot, William George Horner, Antoine Arnauld, and many others, providing fascinating information on their lives and circumstances. The book also includes a valuable introductory essay by Professor Jeremy Gray, who comments on changes that have taken place in the study of history and mathematics since the initial publication of this classic work in 1949.
Review
"The level of Professor Coolidge's scholarship is high, the style is lucid, and the work is enjoyable reading." --Nature
"Professor Coolidge has added yet another book to delight mathematicians." --Isis
"Coolidge's book has become a minor classic, not just for its historical erudition but also for its clear, informal style." --American Scientist
"The reader will find a good deal here. The Mathematics of Great Amateurs has stood the test of time to become an essential reference on the shelf of every working historian of mathematics. It remains a delightful `read' for the general mathematician with even a passing interest in the development of the subject.
"The Mathematics of Great Amateures (Coolidge) is great fun. Coolidge discusses the contributions of many folks, including Omar Khayyam, Da Vinci, Pascal, De Witt (apparently the first to make a careful study of annuities), and L'Hospital. I particularly like the discussion of George-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon and his apparent discovery of geometric probability. It made me recall with fondness my introduction to the Buffon needle problem by my late friend Gian-Carlo Rota."--The Bulletin of Mathematics Books
Synopsis
This unique history surveys the mathematical contributions of numerous individuals noted mainly for their groundbreaking activities in other fields. It evaluates the discoveries of such luminaries as Plato, Leonardo da Vinci, Omar Khayyam, Jan de Witt, Denis Diderot, William George Horner, Antoine Arnauld, and many others, providing fascinating information on their lives and circumstances. The book also includes a valuable introductory essay by Professor Jeremy Gray, who comments on changes that have taken place in the study of history and mathematics since the initial publication of this classic work in 1949.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [xxiii]-xxiv) and index.
Table of Contents
1. Plato
2. Omar Khayyam
3. Pietro dei Francesci
4. Leonardo de Vinci
5. Albrecht Durer
6. John Napier, Baron of Merchiston
7. Blaise Pascal
8. Antoine Arnauld
9. Jan de Witt
10. Johann Heinrich Hudd
11. William, Viscount Brouncker
12. Guillaume L' Hospital, Marquis de Sainte-Mesme
13. Buffon
14. Denis Diderot
15. William George Horner
16. Bernard Bolzano