GB 0098 KMATH - Mathematics Department of Imperial College

Identity area

Reference code

GB 0098 KMATH

Title

Mathematics Department of Imperial College

Date(s)

  • Created 1903-1981 (ongoing) (Creation)

Level of description

Extent and medium

5 boxes

Context area

Name of creator

Biographical history

The Department of Mathematics can be traced to the teaching of Mechanical Science at the Government School of Mines and of Science (later the Royal School of Mines), established in 1851. A department of Applied Mechanics was established, and renamed the Division of Mathematics and Mechanics in 1881 on the formation of the Royal College of Science, of which the Royal School of Mines was a constituent college. Mathematics was also taught at the City and Guilds College from its establishment in 1885. In 1912, it was decided that there would be one Professor of Mathematics for Imperial College, and the departments were amalgamated. Research undertaken in the Department of Mathematics led to the establishment of the Centre for Computing and Automation in 1966. In 1970 the centre became the Department of Computing and Control, and then the Department of Computing in 1979.

Archival history

Created and accumulated by Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine during the course of business.
GB 0098 KMATH Created 1903-1981 (ongoing) Series of Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine records 5 boxes Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine
The Department of Mathematics can be traced to the teaching of Mechanical Science at the Government School of Mines and of Science (later the Royal School of Mines), established in 1851. A department of Applied Mechanics was established, and renamed the Division of Mathematics and Mechanics in 1881 on the formation of the Royal College of Science, of which the Royal School of Mines was a constituent college. Mathematics was also taught at the City and Guilds College from its establishment in 1885. In 1912, it was decided that there would be one Professor of Mathematics for Imperial College, and the departments were amalgamated. Research undertaken in the Department of Mathematics led to the establishment of the Centre for Computing and Automation in 1966. In 1970 the centre became the Department of Computing and Control, and then the Department of Computing in 1979.

Created and accumulated by Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine during the course of business.

Records of the Department of Mathematics of Imperial College, 1903-1981, including histories of the department from 1910-1955; lecture notes, 1903-[1946]; report on the computer engine, 1948-1952; departmental correspondence, 1908-1947, notably of Professor John Perry, Professor Andrew Russell Forsyth, Professor Sydney Chapman, with the administration department, 1908-1928; proposed Mathematics Institute, 1947; Committee papers relating to departmental organisation, 1912-1926; Rectors' correspondence, 1955-1981, notably relating to the headship of the department.

The records are arranged in sections as outlined in the scope and content.

Researchers wishing to consult the Archives should first contact the College Archivist, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, for an appointment.

A photocopying service is available at the discretion of the Archivist. Photocopies are supplied for research use only. Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the Archivist.
English

A catalogue is available at the College Archives.

Records of the Computer Unit and the Department of Computing and Control (KCU), Interdisciplinary Centres and Courses (KO), Department of Education and Science Records (AB), records relating to the University of London (UL), papers of Professor Andrew Russell Forsyth (B/FORSYTH), held at Imperial College.

Papers of John Perry, comprising correspondence with Sir Oliver Lodge held at University College London Manuscripts Room (reference: MS ADD 89), and correspondence with Lord Kelvin, 1882-1902, held at Cambridge University Library.Papers of Sydney Chapman, comprising correspondence and papers, 1962-1970, held at the Bodleian Library, Oxford (reference: MS Eng misc c 851); papers held at the University of Alaska, EE Rasmuson Library; correspondence with Sir Edward Bullard, 1933-1968, held at the Churchill Archives Centre, Cambridge (reference: BLRD); correspondence with Lord Cherwell, 1919-1952, held at Nuffield College Library, Oxford (reference: Cherwell papers).

Sources: National Register of Archives. Compiled by Julie Tancell as part of the RSLP AIM25 project. General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal Place and Corporate Names 1997. October 2000 Academic teaching personnel Chapman , Sydney , 1888-1970 , mathematician Computers Educational personnel Forsyth , Andrew Russell , 1858-1942 , mathematician Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine , Department of Mathematics Mathematics Perry , John , 1850-1920 , mathematician and engineer Teachers Personnel People by occupation People

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Records of the Department of Mathematics of Imperial College, 1903-1981, including histories of the department from 1910-1955; lecture notes, 1903-[1946]; report on the computer engine, 1948-1952; departmental correspondence, 1908-1947, notably of Professor John Perry, Professor Andrew Russell Forsyth, Professor Sydney Chapman, with the administration department, 1908-1928; proposed Mathematics Institute, 1947; Committee papers relating to departmental organisation, 1912-1926; Rectors' correspondence, 1955-1981, notably relating to the headship of the department.

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

The records are arranged in sections as outlined in the scope and content.

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Researchers wishing to consult the Archives should first contact the College Archivist, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Exhibition Road, London SW7 2AZ, for an appointment.

Conditions governing reproduction

A photocopying service is available at the discretion of the Archivist. Photocopies are supplied for research use only. Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the Archivist.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

  • Latin

Language and script notes

English

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Records of the Computer Unit and the Department of Computing and Control (KCU), Interdisciplinary Centres and Courses (KO), Department of Education and Science Records (AB), records relating to the University of London (UL), papers of Professor Andrew Russell Forsyth (B/FORSYTH), held at Imperial College.

Finding aids

A catalogue is available at the College Archives.

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Papers of John Perry, comprising correspondence with Sir Oliver Lodge held at University College London Manuscripts Room (reference: MS ADD 89), and correspondence with Lord Kelvin, 1882-1902, held at Cambridge University Library.Papers of Sydney Chapman, comprising correspondence and papers, 1962-1970, held at the Bodleian Library, Oxford (reference: MS Eng misc c 851); papers held at the University of Alaska, EE Rasmuson Library; correspondence with Sir Edward Bullard, 1933-1968, held at the Churchill Archives Centre, Cambridge (reference: BLRD); correspondence with Lord Cherwell, 1919-1952, held at Nuffield College Library, Oxford (reference: Cherwell papers).

Related descriptions

Publication note

Notes area

Note

Alternative identifier(s)

Access points

Place access points

Name access points

Genre access points

Description control area

Description identifier

Institution identifier

Imperial College of Science Technology and Medicine

Rules and/or conventions used

General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal Place and Corporate Names 1997.

Status

Level of detail

Dates of creation revision deletion

Language(s)

  • English

Script(s)

    Sources

    Accession area