Histoire des mathematiques . . . Second edition, considerably augmented
Publisher Information: Paris: Henri Agasse, 1799-1802.
Montucla, Jean Etienne (1725-99). Histoire des mathématiques . . . Nouvelle edition, considérablement augmentée, et prolongée jusque vers l’Époque actuel. 4 vols., 4to. [4], viii, 739; [4], 717, [1]; viii, 832; [4], 688pp. 45 folding engraved plates, engraved portraits of Montucla and Lalande. Paris: Henri Agasse, 1799-1802. 255 x 193 mm. 19th century tree sheep, gilt spines with leather labels, a few scratches on covers, very minor edgewear. Minor occasional foxing, but overall a fine set, with all half-titles present. Bookplate of the Bibliotheca Lindesiana in all volumes.
Second and most complete edition, considerably expanded from the first edition of 1758. Montucla’s Histoire, the first classical history of mathematics, was “a comprehensive and, relative to the state of contemporary scholarship, accurate description of the development of the subject in various countries. The account also included mechanics, astronomy, optics, and music, which were then considered subdivisions of mathematics” (Dictionary of Scientific Biography). The first edition covered mathematical history only to the end of the 17th century; Montucla had intended to add a third volume covering mathematics to the mid-18th century but was unable to do so at the time. In the 1790s Montucla began working on the second edition of his Histoire, revising and expanding the first two volumes and adding a third devoted to 18th-century mathematics. He died when this volume was in press, however, and the remainder of the second edition was completed (with the assistance of others) by his friend, the astronomer J. J. L. de Lalande (1732-1807). Volume three covers 18th century pure mathematics, optics and mechanics, while the fourth volume covers 18th century astronomy, mathematical geography and navigation. O’Connor, J. J., and E. F. Robertson. “Jean Etienne Montucla.” The MacTutor History of Mathematics Archive. N.p., n.d. Web. Accessed 07 Jan. 2013.
Book Id: 43147Price: $950.00