A General History of Mathematics From the Earliest Times, to the Middle of the Eighteenth Century.

BOSSUT, John.

$300.00

Item Number: 137152

London: Printed for J. Johnson, 1803.

First edition in English of Bossut’s fundamental history of mathematics. Octavo, bound in full contemporary polished diced calf with gilt tooling to the spine, black morocco spine label lettered in gilt, double gilt ruling to the front and rear panel, marbled endpapers and all edges marbled, ribbon bound in. Translated from the French by John Bossut. In near fine condition. Contemporary ownership inscription. A very attractive 19th century binding.

Charles (often referred to as “John”) Bossut was a French mathematician, cleric, and popular textbook writer at the turn of the 19th century. The first English translation of his Essai sur l'histoire générale des mathématique (1803), was produced by John Bonnycastle, another popular British textbook writer of the same period.