Bibliographies
One might think that with the development of the web it is no longer
necessary to consult printed bibliographies, but you do so at your own peril.
Steen, Lynn Arthur (1941-),
Library Recommendations for Undergraduate Mathematics, Washington, D.C.: Mathematical Association of America, c1992, xi, 194 p. ; 28 cm.
The items here on the history of mathematics are recommend
for college libraries. This book will provide ammunition for you
in persuading your library to purchase items in the history of
mathematics. The 1992 edition is now
available on the MAA web site and additions are made from time to time.
Dauben, Joseph Warren (1944-),
The History of Mathematics from Antiquity to the Present: a
Selective Bibliography, New York: Garland, 1985, xxxix, 467 p. : 16 ill., ports. ; 23 cm.
This is "Bibliographies of the history of science and technology," vol. 6, and "Garland reference library of the humanities," vol. 313. Check under those headings for other items of possible interest.
This is an annotated list of high level papers and books dealing
with the history of mathematics.
May, Kenneth Ownsworth (1915-19xx),
Bibliography and Research Manual of the History of Mathematics, University of Toronto Press, 1973, 818 p. 26 cm.
Pt. I, Research Manual, consists of brief comments on information
retrieval and storage, and historical analysis and writing.
Pt. II, Bibliography, is a classified listing of about 31,000
entries in five main sections: (1) Biography; (2) Mathematical
topics; (3) Epimathematical topics; (4) Historical
classifications; (5) Information retrieval. Extensive list of
serials in which articles on mathematics and its history have appeared, p.707-818. No index.
The section on information retrieval and storage was
written in the pre computer age, but is well worth reading. May
recommends that you take a pad of slips with you to the library
(I prefer the 4 by 6 inch size as they fit nicely in a shoebox).
Poggendorff, Johann Christian (1796-1877),
J. C. Poggendorffs biographisch-literarisches handworterbuch fur
mathematik, astronomie, physik mit geophysik, chemie,
kristallographie und verwandte wissensgebiete. Leipzig, J. A.
Barth, 1863-1904 and Leipzig / Berlin, Verlag Chemie, g.m.b.h., 1926-.
Title varies.
Gaffney, Matthew P. and Lynn Arthur Steen, with the
assistance of Paul J. Campbell.
Annotated Bibliography of Expository Writing in the Mathematical
Sciences, Mathematical Association of America, c1976.
Schaaf, William Leonard (1898-),
A Bibliography of Recreational Mathematics, Washington, D.C.: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics [1970-]. There are
four volumes in this series. The first and third were published under the title: Recreational mathematics.
Sarton, George (1884-1956),
The study of the history of mathematics, and The study of the
history of science,
New York, Dover Publications [1957, c1936].
Old but still useful. Following an essay on studying the
history of mathematics, there is a bibliography (updated in Struik's Concise History) and then references to biographical information about 118 mathematicians of the 19th and 20th centuries.
The National Union Catalog, Pre-1956 Imprints. London: Mansell, 1968-1981. 754 volumes!
"Cumulative author list representing Library of Congress printed cards and titles reported by other American libraries."
This can be very useful in locating a hard to find item.
It is much more convenient today to use computer catalgoues, but
do not ignore this if stumped. You should also be aware that there
are other national catalogues, such as the The British Museum Catalogue of printed books, 1881-1900 as well as those
which deal with an individual library, such as John Crerar Library.
A list of books on the history of science, January, 1911.
Return to the minicourse home page.
If you have comments, send email to
V. Frederick Rickey at
fred-rickey@usma.edu .
Posted 29 December 1996.
Revised December 23, 2008.