Augustus De Morgan and the development of university mathematics in London in the nineteenth century
This thesis investigates the teaching of mathematics at university level in London, and in particular by Augustus De Morgan (1806-1871) during his period as founder professor of mathematics at London University (later University College London) from 1828 to 1867. An examination of De Morgan's life and professorial career is followed by a review of changes in instruction at the college under his successors, together with a survey of higher mathematical tuition at other university-level institutions in the capital up to the turn of the twentieth century. Particular attention is paid to original teaching material and the set of students who later achieved distinction in mathematics and other disciplines. A key feature of the research undertaken for this project has been its intensive use of previously unpublished archival documents, hitherto mostly unstudied. Consequently, much of the information which has been gleaned from these sources (such as De Morgan's lecture material, student notes and contemporary correspondence) has never appeared in print before. The data thus derived has been used in conjunction with publications from the period, as well as more recent works, to produce a contribution to the history
Rice, Adrian Clifford
Victorian
Augustus De Morgan and the development of university mathematics in London in the nineteenth century. This thesis investigates the teaching of mathematics at university level in London, and in particular by Augustus De Morgan (1806-1871) during his period as founder professor of mathematics at London University (later University College London) from 1828 to 1867. An examination of De Morgan's life and professorial career is followed by a review of changes in instruction at the college under his successors, together with a survey of higher mathematical tuition at other university-level institutions in the capital up to the turn of the twentieth century. Particular attention is paid to original teaching material and the set of students who later achieved distinction in mathematics and other disciplines. A key feature of the research undertaken for this project has been its intensive use of previously unpublished archival documents, hitherto mostly unstudied. Consequently, much of the information which has been gleaned from these sources (such as De Morgan's lecture material, student notes and contemporary correspondence) has never appeared in print before. The data thus derived has been used in conjunction with publications from the period, as well as more recent works, to produce a contribution to the history
augustus morgan development university mathematics london investigate teach mathematics university_level london particular augustus morgan period founder professor mathematics london university later university college london examination morgan life career follow review change instruction college successor together survey high mathematical tuition university_level institution capital turn particular_attention_pay original teach material set student later achieve distinction mathematics discipline key_feature undertaken project intensive use previously_unpublished archival_document hitherto mostly consequently much_information glean source morgan lecture material student note contemporary correspondence never appear print before data thus derive used conjunction publication period well recent_work produce history