British mathematicians responded to the First World War in several different ways. There were those who volunteered their mathematical skills for work at the Royal Aircraft Factory where they could experience the practice of flying as well as develop its theory, the National Physical Laboratory where they used wind tunnels, or the Anti-Aircraft Experimental Section of the Ministry of Munitions where they worked on ballistics; those who followed a military path; and those who, for reasons of conscience, refused to take an active part in the War at all. In this talk Professor Barrow Green will discuss the war-time activities of a variety of British mathematicians and examine the impact of the War on their careers as well as on mathematics itself.
June Barrow-Green is Professor of History of Mathematics, Open University and Visiting Professor in Department of Mathematics, LSE.
Martin Anthony (@MartinHGAnthony) is Professor of Mathematics and Head of Department of Mathematics at LSE.
The Department of Mathematics (@LSEMaths) is internationally recognised for its teaching and research in the fields of discrete mathematics, game theory, financial mathematics and operations research.
Twitter Hashtag for this event: #LSEmaths
Podcast & Video
A podcast and video of this event is available to download from Mathematicians at War
Podcasts and videos of many LSE events can be found at the LSE Public Lectures and Events: podcasts and videos channel.