Felix Klein's Foreign Students: Opening Up the Way for Transnational Mathematics

by Danuta Ciesielska (Editor), Henning Heller (Editor), Renate Tobies (Editor), Joanna Zwierzynska (Editor)

Overview

This volume explores the profound impact of Felix Klein on the evolution of mathematics beyond Germany, particularly in number theory, algebra, geometry, analysis, and the application of mathematics in scientific and technical fields, as well as mathematics education. The various essays in it highlight the often-overlooked contributions of mathematicians from diverse backgrounds, including Czech, Greek, Hungarian, Japanese, Polish, Russian, and Ukrainian scholars who studied under Klein. By examining the prools of Klein's seminars from 1872 to 1912, this book uncovers how his teachings shaped their careers. Additionally, it explores Klein's collaborative efforts with David Hilbert and their influence on international mathematical communication.

This volume is essential reading for historians of mathematics and researchers interested in the development of science and mathematics at the turn of the 20th century.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9783031957765
Publisher:	Springer Nature Switzerland
Publication date:	09/10/2025
Series:	Trends in the History of Science
Pages:	413
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.00(d)

About the Author

Danuta Ciesielska is a historian of mathematics and science at the L. & A. Birkenmajer Institute for the History of Science of the Polish Academy of Sciences. She has published over 60 articles and five books, focusing on the history of mathematics, mathematical education, and women in science.

Henning Heller is a postdoctoral researcher in Mathematics Education at the University of Bonn. He focuses on integrating the history, philosophy, and education of mathematics, with a particular interest in Felix Klein.

Renate Tobies is a historian of mathematics and science at Friedrich Schiller University in Jena. She has published over ten books and hundreds of articles, focusing on the history of mathematics and its applications, as well as women in science and technology.

Joanna Zwierzyńska is a PhD candidate at the L. & A. Birkenmajer Institute for the History of Science, Polish Academy of Sciences. Her research focuses on the history of mathematics, particularly Polish mathematics, and she has co-authored and edited several notable works in the field.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Felix Klein’s Vision: A School for Mathematical Productivity Regardless of Nationality, Gender, and Area of Research.- Chapter 2. About Polish students of Felix Klein.- Chapter 3. Mathematicians from the Czech lands and Felix Klein.- Chapter 4. “I have to tell you about England!”: Felix Klein’s influence on the research of young British mathematicians.- Chapter 5. Foreign inspiration and domestic tradition: the Göttingen-speaking mathematicians in Turin.- Chapter 6. Mellen Woodman Haskell in Leipzig and Göttingen.- Chapter 7. From Naples to Pavia, passing from Göttingen. The scientific trajectory of Ernesto Pascal and his relationship with Felix Klein.- Chapter 8. Wilhelm Wirtinger and his publications on Abelian functions, in particular theta functions.- Chapter 9. Felix Klein and his relations with Greek mathematicians as they appear in their letters.- Chapter 10. Felix Klein’s first female doctoral student Grace Emily Chisholm Young — A livelong connection concerning mathematical research and more.- Chapter 11. From St Petersburg to Göttingen. About Helena Bortkiewicz and Aleksandra Stebnicka.- Chapter 12. Bridging Göttingen and Tokyo: Oral Culture and the Dynamics of Mathematical Knowledge.- Chapter 13. Felix Klein’s mature distance student, Encyklopädie contributor and self-declared heir: the Austrian Richard von Mises.- Chapter 14. The presence of Felix Klein in the process of modernization and internationalization of mathematical culture in Spain and Argentina.- Chapter 15. Klein’s Seminars on Probability.- Chapter 16. Foreign Students in Felix Klein’s Seminars.