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A Textbook Fit for a Princess

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A Textbook Fit for a Princess

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    1. A Textbook Fit for a Princess By: Melissa Barrick Hood College Frederick, MD Melissa’s talk at MathFest ‘07Melissa’s talk at MathFest ‘07

    2. Leonhard Euler 1707-1783 One of Leonhard Euler’s ‘best-sellers’ was his Letters to a German Princess.One of Leonhard Euler’s ‘best-sellers’ was his Letters to a German Princess.

    3. Princess Charlotte Ludovica Luisa Born in 1745 in Berlin Second Cousin of Frederick the Great Daughter of Margrave Friedrich Heinrich von Brandenburg-Schwedt The princess to whom Euler wrote his famous Letters was Charlotte Ludovica Luisa, daughter of a friend of Euler with whom he would play music in the evenings. The margrave asked Euler if he would teach his 15-year-old daughter about science.The princess to whom Euler wrote his famous Letters was Charlotte Ludovica Luisa, daughter of a friend of Euler with whom he would play music in the evenings. The margrave asked Euler if he would teach his 15-year-old daughter about science.

    4. The First Letter As Euler and the young princess had a hard time getting together in person, he began to write her letters. Over the course of the next two years, he wrote several letters per week – almost 250 letters in all. This is the first, on choosing appropriate units of measurement.As Euler and the young princess had a hard time getting together in person, he began to write her letters. Over the course of the next two years, he wrote several letters per week – almost 250 letters in all. This is the first, on choosing appropriate units of measurement.

    5. Of Magnitude, or Extension Units of Measure Distance Problems Does it make more sense to measure the distance from Berlin to Magdeburg in feet or in miles?Does it make more sense to measure the distance from Berlin to Magdeburg in feet or in miles?

    6. Of Magnitude, or Extension And what about the distance to the sun? Is it easier to picture in miles, or in number of earth-diameters?And what about the distance to the sun? Is it easier to picture in miles, or in number of earth-diameters?

    7. Of the Perfection of Language Propositions: Affirmative and Universal Every A is B Negative and Universal No A is B Affirmative and Particular Some A is B Negative and Particular Some A is not B The letter that contains the most mathematics is this one, in which he talks about language, logic, and how to draw pictures to illustrate propositions.The letter that contains the most mathematics is this one, in which he talks about language, logic, and how to draw pictures to illustrate propositions.

    8. This sort of diagram is still called an Euler diagram; it is a type of Venn diagram that shows a particular relationship.This sort of diagram is still called an Euler diagram; it is a type of Venn diagram that shows a particular relationship.

    9. Euler Diagrams Another Euler diagram.Another Euler diagram.

    10. Electrization of Men and Animals Be careful when electrifying people!Be careful when electrifying people!

    11. The Future of the Letters Euler was convinced to publish the collection of letters in 1768. They appeared first in French, published in St. Petersburg, Russia.Euler was convinced to publish the collection of letters in 1768. They appeared first in French, published in St. Petersburg, Russia.

    12. Here is an original copy, which we were able to see at the Smithsonian.Here is an original copy, which we were able to see at the Smithsonian.

    13. A Worldwide Text The textbook was published in many languages: French (12 editions) Russian (4 editions) English (9 editions) German (6 editions) Italian, Dutch, Spanish The text became wildly popular all over Europe.The text became wildly popular all over Europe.

    14. The First English Translation Translated by the Rev. Dr. Henry Hunter 1802 2 volumes The Letters are translated into English for the first time.The Letters are translated into English for the first time.

    15. A Famous Preface First English Translator, Henry Hunter, wrote a famous preface Why it was important to translate the Letters into English.Why it was important to translate the Letters into English.

    16. Women’s Education “Euler wrote these Letters for the instruction of a young and sensible female, and in the same view that they were written, they are translated, namely, the improvement of the female mind; an object of what importance to the world! I rejoice to think I have lived to see female education conducted on a more liberal and enlarged plan.” “They are now treated as rational beings, and society is already the better for it.” The Rev. Hunter’s idea of why Euler wrote the letters: the improvement of the female mind.The Rev. Hunter’s idea of why Euler wrote the letters: the improvement of the female mind.

    17. Another English Edition 1833 David Brewster Notes Biography of Euler John Griscom Glossary A later translation.A later translation.

    18. American School Library In 1838, the State of New York passed a law that every school district of a certain size had to have a library. Harper & Brothers publishers soon offered this set of books, often called the Harper School District Library. The set contained 50 volumes, boxed together; the set was sold for $20.In 1838, the State of New York passed a law that every school district of a certain size had to have a library. Harper & Brothers publishers soon offered this set of books, often called the Harper School District Library. The set contained 50 volumes, boxed together; the set was sold for $20.

    19. The books Harper & Brothers chose to teach natural science were … Euler’s Letters to a German Princess! Here I am, looking at them in the Smithsonian.The books Harper & Brothers chose to teach natural science were … Euler’s Letters to a German Princess! Here I am, looking at them in the Smithsonian.

    20. The Letters in 2007 Libraries and Rare Book Collections Library of Congress Smithsonian Institute American School Library Google Books There are many places one can read these Letters today: as we have seen, the original French edition, as well as the early English translations, are available in the rare book collections of some libraries. The 1839 Harper School District Library are even more widely available; for instance, the library at Gettysburg College holds the set. Finally, Google has digitized the English translation of the letters.There are many places one can read these Letters today: as we have seen, the original French edition, as well as the early English translations, are available in the rare book collections of some libraries. The 1839 Harper School District Library are even more widely available; for instance, the library at Gettysburg College holds the set. Finally, Google has digitized the English translation of the letters.

    21. Acknowledgements Hood College Summer Research Institute Dr. Mayfield, Hood College Dr. Tysdal, Hood College Chelsea Sprankle, Lindsey Nagy, and Laura Printz Pi Mu Epsilon, MD Delta Chapter Dr. Ronald Calinger, Catholic University Dr. Peggy Kidwell, Smithsonian Institute Dr. Victor Katz Dr. William Dunham Dr. Allen Flora, Hood College Constance Carter, Library of Congress Kirsten Van der Veen, Dibner Library

    22. Here we are with Constance Carter, Head of the Science Reference Section at the Library of Congress.Here we are with Constance Carter, Head of the Science Reference Section at the Library of Congress.

    23. Taking a break on the Mall.Taking a break on the Mall.

    24. References Alexanderson, G. L. “Ars Expositionis: Euler as Writer and Teacher.” Mathematics Magazine Nov. 1983: 274-78. Burckhardt, J. J. “Leonhard Euler, 1707-1783” Mathematics Magazine November 1983: 261-73. Calinger, Ronald. “Euler’s Letters to a Princess of Germany as an expression of his mature scientific outlook.” Archive for History of Exact Sciences 1975: 211-33. Calinger, Ronald S. and John Glaus. “Leonhard Euler 1707-1783, Switzerland’s Foremost Scientific Expatriate.” The Euler Society. Dunham, William. The Genius of Euler: Reflections on his Life and Work. Mathematical Association of America, 2007. Euler, Leonhard. Lettres ŕ une princesse d'Allemagne sur divers sujets de physique & de philosophie. Saint Petersburg: l’Academie Impériale des Sciences, 1768. Euler, Leonhard. Letters of Euler on Different Subject of Physics and Philosophy Addressed to a German Princess. Trans. Henry Hunter. London: Murray and Highley 1802. Euler, Leonhard. Letters of Euler on Different Subject of Natural Philosophy Addressed to a German Princess. Trans. David Brewster, John Griscom. New York: J. & J. Harper, 1833. Finkel, B. F. “Biography: Leonhard Euler.” The American Mathematical Monthly December 1897: 297-302. O’Keefe, Doris. “Publisher’s Series.” American Antiquarian Society. 2 September 2004. 17 July 2007. < http://www.americanantiquarian.org/pubseries.htm> “The Electric Ben Franklin.” US History.org. 4 July 1995. 24 July 2007. <http://www.ushistory.org/franklin/info/index.htm>

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