Geometrical Optics: An Introduction to Hamilton's Method

It is by no means easy for the applied mathematician to decide how much importance he should attach to the more abstract and aesthetic side of his work and how much to the detailed applications to physics, astronomy, engineering or the design of instruments. To all appearances, Sir William Rowan Hamilton (1850–1865) attached little importance to the practical applications of his method, and it was only with the publication of his Mathematical Papers that it was possible to form a more corre...