Historiography of Mathematics in the 19th and 20th Centuries

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This book explores the historiography of mathematics in the 19th and 20th centuries, emphasizing the cultural contexts surrounding its writing. In the 19th century, a variety of individuals with diverse training and motivations documented the history of mathematics, influencing both their narratives and the reception of their work. From approximately 1880 to 1940, significant modernization occurred in mathematics—its content, cultivation conditions, and identity evolved, impacting how its history was recorded. During this time, the history of mathematics transitioned into a distinct research field, complete with its own journals, societies, and academic roles. This evolution reflected a new professional identity and changes in audience, leading to noticeable shifts in historiographical perspectives that persist today. Initially, the focus was on major internal developments within specific mathematical sub-disciplines. Over time, the emphasis shifted toward the contexts of knowledge production, including individual contributions, local practices, community dynamics, and networks. The aim is to connect these disciplinary and methodological transformations in the history of mathematics to the broader cultural contexts experienced by its historians during this period.