Mathematical Treasure: Wilson's Solid Geometry Text

Author(s):

Frank J. Swetz (The Pennsylvania State University)

James Wilson (1836-1931) was an Anglican priest, theologian, and mathematician. He was a prolific author and was active in the geometry teaching reforms of the period. His Elementary Geometry (first published in 1868) reflected the teaching reforms proposed by the British Geometrical Association and became a standard school text. Wilson first published the textbook featured here, Solid Geometry and Conic Sections, in 1872. The images below are from a 1908 edition.

Title page of Solid Geometry and Conic Sections by James Wilson, published in 1908

The prefaces to the first, second (1873), and third (1876) editions provide insights into the author’s objectives and intent.

First page of preface to Solid Geometry and Conic Sections by James Wilson, published in 1908

Second page of Preface to Solid Geometry and Conic Sections by James Wilson, published in 1908

The list of topics in the "Table of Contents” describes the scope of the work.

First page of the Table of Contents to Solid Geometry and Conic Sections by James Wilson, published in 1908

Second page of the Table of Contents to Solid Geometry and Conic Sections by James Wilson, published in 1908

Third page of the Table of Contents to Solid Geometry and Conic Sections by James Wilson, published in 1908

The images above were obtained through the courtesy of the University of Toronto Gerstein Science Information Centre. The book may be viewed in its entirety in the Internet Archive.

Index to Mathematical Treasures

Frank J. Swetz (The Pennsylvania State University), "Mathematical Treasure: Wilson's Solid Geometry Text," Convergence (February 2018)

Convergence

Tags:

History of Mathematics