Elements of Dynamic
Encyclopedia
Elements of Dynamic is a book published by William Kingdon Clifford
in 1878. In 1887 it was supplemented by a fourth part and an appendix. The subtitle is "An introduction to motion and rest in solid and fluid bodies". It was reviewed positively and has remained a standard reference since its appearance.
(1978, p 306) explained for prospective readers that kinematics
is the "study of the theory of pure motion". Noting the nature of "progressive training" required for mathematics, the reviewer wondered "For what class of readers is the book designed?"
Richard A. Proctor noted in The Contemporary Review (33:65) that there are "few errors in the work, and even misprints are few and far between for a treatise of this kind." He did not approve of Clifford’s coining of "odd new words as squirts, sinks, twists, and whirls." Proctor quoted the last sentence of the book: "Every continuous motion of an infinite body may be built up of squirts and vortices."
In a "Sketch of Professor Clifford" in June 1879 the journal Popular Science
said "It will probably not take high rank as a university text-book, for which it was intended, but is much admired by mathematicians for the elegance, freshness, and originality displayed in the treatment of mathematical problems."
After Clifford had died, and Book IV and Appendix were published in 1887, the literary magazine
Athenaeum
said "we have here Clifford pure and simple." It explained that he "had entirely shaken off the concept of force as an explanatory cause." It also expressed "the oft-told regret that Clifford did not live to reshape the teaching of elementary dynamics in this country, and we wait somewhat impatiently for his successor in this labour, who seems long in appearing."
In 2004 Gowan Dawson reviewed the situation of the book's publication. On the basis of a letter from Lucy Clifford
to Alexander MacMillan
, the publisher, Dawson wrote
William Kingdon Clifford
William Kingdon Clifford FRS was an English mathematician and philosopher. Building on the work of Hermann Grassmann, he introduced what is now termed geometric algebra, a special case of the Clifford algebra named in his honour, with interesting applications in contemporary mathematical physics...
in 1878. In 1887 it was supplemented by a fourth part and an appendix. The subtitle is "An introduction to motion and rest in solid and fluid bodies". It was reviewed positively and has remained a standard reference since its appearance.
Reviews
A review in the Philosophical MagazinePhilosophical Magazine
The Philosophical Magazine is one of the oldest scientific journals published in English. Initiated by Alexander Tilloch in 1798, in 1822 Richard Taylor became joint editor and it has been published continuously by Taylor & Francis ever since; it was the journal of choice for such luminaries as...
(1978, p 306) explained for prospective readers that kinematics
Kinematics
Kinematics is the branch of classical mechanics that describes the motion of bodies and systems without consideration of the forces that cause the motion....
is the "study of the theory of pure motion". Noting the nature of "progressive training" required for mathematics, the reviewer wondered "For what class of readers is the book designed?"
Richard A. Proctor noted in The Contemporary Review (33:65) that there are "few errors in the work, and even misprints are few and far between for a treatise of this kind." He did not approve of Clifford’s coining of "odd new words as squirts, sinks, twists, and whirls." Proctor quoted the last sentence of the book: "Every continuous motion of an infinite body may be built up of squirts and vortices."
In a "Sketch of Professor Clifford" in June 1879 the journal Popular Science
Popular Science
Popular Science is an American monthly magazine founded in 1872 carrying articles for the general reader on science and technology subjects. Popular Science has won over 58 awards, including the ASME awards for its journalistic excellence in both 2003 and 2004...
said "It will probably not take high rank as a university text-book, for which it was intended, but is much admired by mathematicians for the elegance, freshness, and originality displayed in the treatment of mathematical problems."
After Clifford had died, and Book IV and Appendix were published in 1887, the literary magazine
Athenaeum
Athenaeum (magazine)
The Athenaeum was a literary magazine published in London from 1828 to 1921. It had a reputation for publishing the very best writers of the age....
said "we have here Clifford pure and simple." It explained that he "had entirely shaken off the concept of force as an explanatory cause." It also expressed "the oft-told regret that Clifford did not live to reshape the teaching of elementary dynamics in this country, and we wait somewhat impatiently for his successor in this labour, who seems long in appearing."
In 2004 Gowan Dawson reviewed the situation of the book's publication. On the basis of a letter from Lucy Clifford
Lucy Clifford
Lucy Clifford , better known as Mrs. W. K. Clifford, was a British novelist and journalist, and the wife of William Kingdon Clifford.-Biography:...
to Alexander MacMillan
Alexander Macmillan
Alexander Macmillan may refer to:*Alexander Macmillan , co-founder of the publishing company Macmillans*Alexander Macmillan, 2nd Earl of Stockton, descendant and former chairman of Macmillan Publishers*A.H...
, the publisher, Dawson wrote
- Clifford, by the time of his death, had published just a single monograph, The Elements of Dynamic, and that had been rushed through the presses in an incomplete form only during the last months of his life. Clifford's standing as both a leading mathematical specialist and an iconoclastic scientific publicist had instead been forged largely in the pages of the Victorian periodical press...