Mathematical Treasure: Todhunter's Elements of Euclid

Author(s):

Frank J. Swetz (The Pennsylvania State University)

Isaac Todhunter (1820-1884) was an English mathematician, an instructor of mathematics, and a prolific author of popular mathematics texts. Todhunter was at the forefront of Victorian mathematics reforms, particularly the teaching of geometry. His The Elements of Euclid appeared in 1862, attracting much attention. The images below are taken from a new edition published in 1872.

Title page of The Elements of Euclid by Isaac Todhunter, 1872

In the “Preface,” Todhunter explained his motives in writing the geometry book.

First page of preface to The Elements of Euclid by Isaac Todhunter, 1872

Second page of preface to The Elements of Euclid by Isaac Todhunter, 1872

Third page of preface to The Elements of Euclid by Isaac Todhunter, 1872

Fourth page of preface to The Elements of Euclid by Isaac Todhunter, 1872

Fifth page of preface to The Elements of Euclid by Isaac Todhunter, 1872

Basic definitions and concepts are first introduced.

Page 5 of The Elements of Euclid by Isaac Todhunter, 1872

Page 6 of The Elements of Euclid by Isaac Todhunter, 1872

Proposition 1 from The Elements of Euclid by Isaac Todhunter, 1872

In a similar manner, Todhunter began Book III with a set of definitions.

First page from Chapter III of The Elements of Euclid by Isaac Todhunter, 1872

Second page from Chapter III of The Elements of Euclid by Isaac Todhunter, 1872

Third page from Chapter III of The Elements of Euclid by Isaac Todhunter, 1872

The images above are supplied through the courtesy of the University of California Libraries. The work may be viewed in its entirety in the Internet Archive.

Index to Mathematical Treasures

Frank J. Swetz (The Pennsylvania State University), "Mathematical Treasure: Todhunter's Elements of Euclid," Convergence (August 2018)

Convergence

Tags:

History of Mathematics