A Cabinet of Mathematical Curiosities at Teachers College: David Eugene Smith’s Collection

ABOUT THE BOOK

The David Eugene Smith archives at Columbia University’s Rare Book and Manuscript Library contain the printed material, manuscripts, portraits and medallions, autographs, and mathematical instruments from Smith’s cabinet of mathematical curiosities. The collection was originally housed in a museum open to the public but sadly it is now locked away in off-site storage. Diane Murray’s book provides a special look at the collection by using Smith’s own words to guide the reader into what he recollected about the piece while also pinpointing what he valued and thought most important in his collection.  The book includes over 150 pages of pictures of the lantern slides derived from the collection that were sent to mathematics clubs and departments.