The book launch of the recently published 'Mathematical Book Histories: Printing, Provenances, and Practices of Reading' will take place on Friday the 22nd of November from 4pm at the Russell Library (South Campus, Maynooth University, Maynooth. Number 14 on the Campus Map. Please note that paid parking is in operation until 5pm). An exhibition of the texts studied will also be available for people to view.
Edited by Philip Beeley (University of Oxford) and Ciarán Mac an Bhaird (Maynooth University), this book collection focusses on the unique collection of mathematical texts from across Europe which are housed in the Russell Library at Maynooth. The book chapters consider a broad range of topics, including insights into various aspects of early modern mathematical book production, details of how the library collection was formed, an analysis of mathematical teaching practices in Maynooth and across Europe, and what annotations, marginal observations, and diagrams etc. reveal about the people who used the books.
| Chapter authors also uncovered, in some cases, spectacular histories. For example, annotations in the 1669 'Mariner's Magazine' provide evidence that the book was used for navigational calculations during at least two transatlantic voyages in the late 17th century. Images are copyright of the Russell Library, Maynooth |  |
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The 1610 'Liber de cometis', which came to Maynooth from Salamanca, contains a loose slip of paper which was probably used as a book mark. It is a hand-written note by Fr Sweetman, originally from Wexford but based in Salamanca, referring to money in exchange for masses. Fr Sweetman was one of the most interesting figures implicated in the fictitious Popish Plot of 1678 to assassinate Charles II of England. Images are copyright of the Russell Library, Maynooth |
