Cajori, Florian (1859–1930)

Swiss-born US historian of mathematics. His books dealt with the history of both elementary and advanced mathematics, as well as the teaching of mathematics. His two-volume History of Mathematical Notations (1928–29) is a standard reference text. He also wrote biographies of eminent mathematicians.

Cajori was born near Thusis in Graubünden. At the age of 16 he emigrated to the USA, where he took up studies at the University of Wisconsin. He was professor of physics at Colorado College 1889–98, professor of mathematics at Tulane University, New Orleans, 1898–1918, and from 1918 professor of history of mathematics at the University of California at Berkeley.

Cajori's influence on the modern perception of the development of mathematics was profound, and his works are frequently quoted to this day. His reputation is founded mainly on his many books on the history of mathematics, although a number of his works – notably his edited version of Isaac Newton's Principia (published posthumously) – have been subject to criticism for their interpretation of historical material. He also compiled A History of Physics (1899).