Ivor Grattan-Guinness
Encyclopedia
Ivor Grattan-Guinness, born 23 June 1941, in Bakewell
, in England
, is a historian of mathematics and logic
.
He gained his Bachelor degree as a Mathematics Scholar at Wadham College, Oxford
, got an M.Sc(Econ) in Mathematical Logic and the Philosophy of Science at the London School of Economics
in 1966. He has gained both the doctorate (Ph.D.) in 1969, and higher doctorate (D.Sc.) 1978, in the History of Science at the University of London
. He is Emeritus Professor of the History of Mathematics and Logic at Middlesex University
, and a Visiting Research Associate at the London School of Economics.
He was awarded the Kenneth O. May Medal
for services to the History of Mathematics by the International Commission for the History of Mathematics (ICHM) on 31 July 2009, at Budapest
, on the occasion of the 23rd International Congress for the History of Science. In 2010 he was elected an Honorary Member of the Bertrand Russell Society
.
He spent much of his career at Middlesex University. He has been a fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study
in Princeton, New Jersey
, and is a member of the Académie Internationale d'Histoire des Sciences.
. In 1979 he founded the journal History and Philosophy of Logic, and edited it until 1992. He was an associate editor of Historia Mathematica
for twenty years from its inception in 1974, and again from 1996.
He also acts as advisory editor to the editions of the writings of C.S. Peirce and Bertrand Russell, and to several other journals and book series. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the International Commission on the History of Mathematics from 1977 to 1993.
He has given over 570 invited lectures to organisations and societies, or to conferences and congresses, in over 20 countries around the world. These lectures include tours undertaken in Australia
, New Zealand
, Italy
, South Africa
and Portugal
.
From 1986 to 1988 he was the President of the British Society for the History of Mathematics
, and for 1992 the Vice-President. In 1991 he was elected an effective member of the Académie Internationale d'Histoire des Sciences. He was the Associate Editor for mathematicians and statisticians for the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (2004).
and mathematical logic
. He has been especially interested in characterising how past thinkers, far removed from us in time, view their findings differently from the way we see them now (for example, Euclid
). He has emphasised the importance of ignorance as an epistemological notion in this task. He has done extensive research with original sources both published and unpublished, thanks to his reading and spoken knowledge of the main European languages.
E.L. Post, ‘The modern paradoxes’, History and philosophy of logic, 11 (1990), 85–91.
Philip E. B. Jourdain, Selected essays on the history of set theory and logics (1906–1918) (1991, Bologna: CLUEB), xlii + 352 pages. [Introduction and indexes.]
George Boole, Selected manuscripts on logic and its philosophy (ed. with G. Bornet, 1997, Basel: Birkhäuser), lxvi + 236 pages.[Part Introduction and editorial material.]
Grattan-Guinness' The Search for Mathematical Roots 1870–1940 is a sweeping study of the rise of mathematical logic
during that critical period. The central theme of the book is the rise of logicism
, thanks to the efforts of Frege, Bertrand Russell
, and Whitehead
, and its demise due to Gödel
and indifference. Whole chapters are devoted to the emergence of algebraic logic
in the 19th century UK, Cantor
and the emergence of set theory
, the emergence of mathematical logic in Germany told in a way that downplays Frege's importance, and to Peano and his followers. There follow four chapters devoted to the ideas of the young Bertrand Russell, the writing of both The Principles of Mathematics
and Principia Mathematica
, and to the mixed reception the ideas and methods encountered over the period 1910–40. The book touches on the rise of model theory
as well as proof theory
, and on the emergence of American research on the foundation of mathematics, especially in the hands of E. H. Moore
and his students, of the postulate theorists, and of Quine
. While Polish logic
is often mentioned, it is not covered systematically. Finally, the book is a contribution to the history of philosophy
as well as of mathematics.
Bakewell
Bakewell is a small market town in the Derbyshire Dales district of Derbyshire, England, deriving its name from 'Beadeca's Well'. It is the only town included in the Peak District National Park, and is well known for the local confection Bakewell Pudding...
, in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, is a historian of mathematics and logic
Logic
In philosophy, Logic is the formal systematic study of the principles of valid inference and correct reasoning. Logic is used in most intellectual activities, but is studied primarily in the disciplines of philosophy, mathematics, semantics, and computer science...
.
He gained his Bachelor degree as a Mathematics Scholar at Wadham College, Oxford
Wadham College, Oxford
Wadham College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, located at the southern end of Parks Road in central Oxford. It was founded by Nicholas and Dorothy Wadham, wealthy Somerset landowners, during the reign of King James I...
, got an M.Sc(Econ) in Mathematical Logic and the Philosophy of Science at the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
in 1966. He has gained both the doctorate (Ph.D.) in 1969, and higher doctorate (D.Sc.) 1978, in the History of Science at the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
. He is Emeritus Professor of the History of Mathematics and Logic at Middlesex University
Middlesex University
Middlesex University is a university in north London, England. It is located in the historic county boundaries of Middlesex from which it takes its name. It is one of the post-1992 universities and is a member of Million+ working group...
, and a Visiting Research Associate at the London School of Economics.
He was awarded the Kenneth O. May Medal
Kenneth O. May Prize
Kenneth O. May Prize and Medal in history of mathematics is an award of the International Commission on the History of Mathematics "for the encouragement and promotion of the history of mathematics internationally". It was established in 1989 and is named in honor of Kenneth O. May, the founder of...
for services to the History of Mathematics by the International Commission for the History of Mathematics (ICHM) on 31 July 2009, at Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
, on the occasion of the 23rd International Congress for the History of Science. In 2010 he was elected an Honorary Member of the Bertrand Russell Society
Bertrand Russell Society
The Bertrand Russell Society is a learned society founded in 1974 whose purpose is to foster a better understanding of the life, work, and writings of Bertrand Russell....
.
He spent much of his career at Middlesex University. He has been a fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study
Institute for Advanced Study
The Institute for Advanced Study, located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States, is an independent postgraduate center for theoretical research and intellectual inquiry. It was founded in 1930 by Abraham Flexner...
in Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton is a community located in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States. It is best known as the location of Princeton University, which has been sited in the community since 1756...
, and is a member of the Académie Internationale d'Histoire des Sciences.
Biographical details
From 1974 to 1981 he was editor of the history of science journal Annals of ScienceAnnals of Science
Annals of Science is a peer-reviewed academic journal covering the history of science and technology. It is published by Taylor & Francis and was established in 1936...
. In 1979 he founded the journal History and Philosophy of Logic, and edited it until 1992. He was an associate editor of Historia Mathematica
Historia Mathematica
Historia Mathematica: International Journal of History of Mathematics is an academic journal on the history of mathematics published by Elsevier. It was established by Kenneth O. May in 1971 as the free newsletter Notae de Historia Mathematica, but by its sixth issue in 1974 had turned into a full...
for twenty years from its inception in 1974, and again from 1996.
He also acts as advisory editor to the editions of the writings of C.S. Peirce and Bertrand Russell, and to several other journals and book series. He was a member of the Executive Committee of the International Commission on the History of Mathematics from 1977 to 1993.
He has given over 570 invited lectures to organisations and societies, or to conferences and congresses, in over 20 countries around the world. These lectures include tours undertaken in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
.
From 1986 to 1988 he was the President of the British Society for the History of Mathematics
British Society for the History of Mathematics
The British Society for the History of Mathematics was founded in 1971 to promote research into the history of mathematics at all levels and to further the use of the history of mathematics in education....
, and for 1992 the Vice-President. In 1991 he was elected an effective member of the Académie Internationale d'Histoire des Sciences. He was the Associate Editor for mathematicians and statisticians for the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (2004).
Work
The work of Grattan-Guinness touches on all historical periods, but he specialises in the development of the calculus and mathematical analysis, and their applications to mechanics and mathematical physics, and in the rise of set theorySet theory
Set theory is the branch of mathematics that studies sets, which are collections of objects. Although any type of object can be collected into a set, set theory is applied most often to objects that are relevant to mathematics...
and mathematical logic
Mathematical logic
Mathematical logic is a subfield of mathematics with close connections to foundations of mathematics, theoretical computer science and philosophical logic. The field includes both the mathematical study of logic and the applications of formal logic to other areas of mathematics...
. He has been especially interested in characterising how past thinkers, far removed from us in time, view their findings differently from the way we see them now (for example, Euclid
Euclid
Euclid , fl. 300 BC, also known as Euclid of Alexandria, was a Greek mathematician, often referred to as the "Father of Geometry". He was active in Alexandria during the reign of Ptolemy I...
). He has emphasised the importance of ignorance as an epistemological notion in this task. He has done extensive research with original sources both published and unpublished, thanks to his reading and spoken knowledge of the main European languages.
Books written
- 1970. The Development of the Foundations of Mathematical Analysis from Euler to Riemann. MIT Press.
- 1972. 'Joseph Fourier 1768–1830' (In collaboration with J.R. Ravetz). MIT Press.
- 1977. Dear Russell—Dear Jourdain: a Commentary on Russell's Logic, Based on His Correspondence with Philip Jourdain. Duckworth.
- 1980. From the Calculus to Set Theory, 1630–1910: An Introductory History. Duckworth.
- 1990. 'Convolutions in French Mathematics, 1800–1840' in 3 Vols. Birkhauser.
- 1997. The Rainbow of Mathematics: A History of the Mathematical Sciences. Fontana. ISBN 978-000-686179-9 (pbk). W. W. Norton and Company (1999) ISBN 978-0393-04650-2 (hbk) ISBN 0-393-32030-8 (pbk).
- 2000. (Reprint) From the Calculus to Set Theory 1630–1910: An Introductory History. Princeton Univ. Press. ISBN 0-691-07082-2.
- 2000. The Search for Mathematical Roots 1870–1940: Logics, Set Theories, and the Foundations of Mathematics from Cantor through Russell to Gödel. Princeton Univ. Press. ISBN 0-691-05858-X. Bibliography. (For research on this book he held a Leverhulme Fellowship from 1995 to 1997).
- 2009 Routes of Learning: Highways, Pathways, and Byways in the History of Mathematics. Johns Hopkins University Press ISBN 0801892481 .
Editions
W.H. and G.C. Young, The theory of sets of points, 2nd edition (ed. with R.C.H. Tanner; 1972, New York: Chelsea). [Introduction and appendix.]E.L. Post, ‘The modern paradoxes’, History and philosophy of logic, 11 (1990), 85–91.
Philip E. B. Jourdain, Selected essays on the history of set theory and logics (1906–1918) (1991, Bologna: CLUEB), xlii + 352 pages. [Introduction and indexes.]
George Boole, Selected manuscripts on logic and its philosophy (ed. with G. Bornet, 1997, Basel: Birkhäuser), lxvi + 236 pages.[Part Introduction and editorial material.]
Grattan-Guinness' The Search for Mathematical Roots 1870–1940 is a sweeping study of the rise of mathematical logic
Mathematical logic
Mathematical logic is a subfield of mathematics with close connections to foundations of mathematics, theoretical computer science and philosophical logic. The field includes both the mathematical study of logic and the applications of formal logic to other areas of mathematics...
during that critical period. The central theme of the book is the rise of logicism
Logicism
Logicism is one of the schools of thought in the philosophy of mathematics, putting forth the theory that mathematics is an extension of logic and therefore some or all mathematics is reducible to logic. Bertrand Russell and Alfred North Whitehead championed this theory fathered by Richard Dedekind...
, thanks to the efforts of Frege, Bertrand Russell
Bertrand Russell
Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 3rd Earl Russell, OM, FRS was a British philosopher, logician, mathematician, historian, and social critic. At various points in his life he considered himself a liberal, a socialist, and a pacifist, but he also admitted that he had never been any of these things...
, and Whitehead
Whitehead
-With common given names on further disambiguation pages:*Alan Whitehead *George Whitehead *Henry Whitehead *James Whitehead *John Whitehead...
, and its demise due to Gödel
Godel
Godel or similar can mean:*Kurt Gödel , an Austrian logician, mathematician and philosopher*Gödel...
and indifference. Whole chapters are devoted to the emergence of algebraic logic
Algebraic logic
In mathematical logic, algebraic logic is the study of logic presented in an algebraic style.What is now usually called classical algebraic logic focuses on the identification and algebraic description of models appropriate for the study of various logics and connected problems...
in the 19th century UK, Cantor
Georg Cantor
Georg Ferdinand Ludwig Philipp Cantor was a German mathematician, best known as the inventor of set theory, which has become a fundamental theory in mathematics. Cantor established the importance of one-to-one correspondence between the members of two sets, defined infinite and well-ordered sets,...
and the emergence of set theory
Set theory
Set theory is the branch of mathematics that studies sets, which are collections of objects. Although any type of object can be collected into a set, set theory is applied most often to objects that are relevant to mathematics...
, the emergence of mathematical logic in Germany told in a way that downplays Frege's importance, and to Peano and his followers. There follow four chapters devoted to the ideas of the young Bertrand Russell, the writing of both The Principles of Mathematics
The Principles of Mathematics
The Principles of Mathematics is a book written by Bertrand Russell in 1903. In it he presented his famous paradox and argued his thesis that mathematics and logic are identical....
and Principia Mathematica
Principia Mathematica
The Principia Mathematica is a three-volume work on the foundations of mathematics, written by Alfred North Whitehead and Bertrand Russell and published in 1910, 1912, and 1913...
, and to the mixed reception the ideas and methods encountered over the period 1910–40. The book touches on the rise of model theory
Model theory
In mathematics, model theory is the study of mathematical structures using tools from mathematical logic....
as well as proof theory
Proof theory
Proof theory is a branch of mathematical logic that represents proofs as formal mathematical objects, facilitating their analysis by mathematical techniques. Proofs are typically presented as inductively-defined data structures such as plain lists, boxed lists, or trees, which are constructed...
, and on the emergence of American research on the foundation of mathematics, especially in the hands of E. H. Moore
E. H. Moore
Eliakim Hastings Moore was an American mathematician.-Life:Moore, the son of a Methodist minister and grandson of US Congressman Eliakim H. Moore, discovered mathematics through a summer job at the Cincinnati Observatory while in high school. He learned mathematics at Yale University, where he was...
and his students, of the postulate theorists, and of Quine
Willard Van Orman Quine
Willard Van Orman Quine was an American philosopher and logician in the analytic tradition...
. While Polish logic
Polish logic
Polish Logic is an anthology of papers by several authors, including Kazimierz Ajdukiewicz, published in 1967 and covering the period 1920–1939...
is often mentioned, it is not covered systematically. Finally, the book is a contribution to the history of philosophy
History of philosophy
The history of philosophy is the study of philosophical ideas and concepts through time. Issues specifically related to history of philosophy might include : How can changes in philosophy be accounted for historically? What drives the development of thought in its historical context? To what...
as well as of mathematics.
Books edited
- 2003. Companion Encyclopedia of the History and Philosophy of the Mathematical Sciences, 2 vols. Johns Hopkins Univ. Press. ISBN 0801873967
- 2005. Landmark Writings in Western Mathematics. Elsevier.
Articles
- 2002. "A Sideways Look at Hilbert's Twenty-Three Problems of 1900," Notices of the American Mathematical SocietyNotices of the American Mathematical SocietyNotices of the American Mathematical Society is a membership magazine of the American Mathematical Society, published monthly except for the combined June/July issue. It is the world's most widely read mathematics magazine, sent to the approximately 30,000 AMS members worldwide...
47: 752–57.
External links
- Encomium at Mathematical Sciences FoundationMathematical Sciences FoundationMathematical Sciences Foundation is an institute of education and research, located in Delhi, India. Its goal is the promotion of mathematics and its applications at all levels, from school to college to research.-Undergraduate:...