Subject: Re: [HM] English translations
From: Craig B. Waff (Cbwaff@aol.com)
Date: Sun Jan 02 2000 - 23:53:07 EST
Prior to the complete 1881 English translation of Clairaut's "Elemens de
geometrie" cited by Julio, a partial translation appeared as:
Elements of Geometry for the Use of the Irish National Schools. Parts First
and Second. Dublin: Printed by M. Goodwin & Co., 1836.
The preface to this edition (copies in the British Library and Harvard Univ.
Library) commented that it was "a work hitherto neglected from its want of
scientific demonstrations." The translator is not named.
A few years later a new edition (apparently a reprint of the above; copy at
the Cambridge Univ. Library) appeared as:
Elements of Geometry for the Use of Schools. Parts First and Secomd.
Published by direction of the Commissioners of National Education, At their
Office in Marborough-street. Sold by W. Curry, Jun., Dublin; R. Groombridge
& Sons, London; and Fraser & Co., Edinburgh, 1845.
Yet another edition (also apparently a reprint of the above; copy at the
British Library) appeared as:
Elements of Geometry for the Use of Schools. Parts First and Second.
Published by direction of the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland,
At their Office in Marborough-street. Sold by W. Curry, Jun., Dublin; R.
Groombridge & Sons, London; George Philip, Liverpool; Fraser & Co.,
Edinburgh; Armour and Ramsay, and Dunsmore and Mantz, Montreal, Canada; and
Chubb and Co., Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1851.
An additional printing of the last (with an identical title-page except for
the date) appeared in 1852 (copy at the British Library). The prefatory
matter in the 1845, 1851, and 1852 editions indicates they were printed for
Her Majesty's Stationers Office.
The title-pages and expanding lists of booksellers (in different cities)
would seem to indicate that this partial English translation of Clairaut's
book was increasingly used as an officially recommended textbook in schools
in Ireland, England, Scotland, and Canada in the mid-19th century,
approximately 100 years after the original French edition was published.
Craig B. Waff
Physical Sciences Senior Editor
Encyclopedia Americana
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