Conference set to be sum event (From Western Telegraph)

Conference set to be sum event

1:50pm Thursday 18th October 2012 in News

A conference on the life and works of Tenbyborn mathematician Robert Recorde is all set to add up to a prestigious event for the town.

Tenby Museum and Art Gallery is hosting the day in conjunction with the British Society for the History of Mathematics, which will see the official launch of a new book on Recorde.

The renaissance scholar and physician is not only the creator of the equals sign, but is also credited with introducing algebra to Britain, and developing the square root.

Two years ago, a programme of celebrations was held in Tenby to mark the 500th anniversary of the birth of Recorde, who is commemorated with a memorial in the town’s St Mary’s Church.

The conference tomorrow (Friday) will include the launch of Robert Recorde: The Life and Times of a Tudor Mathematician, edited by Gareth Roberts and Fenny Smith, which reveals new information about the fascinating man.

At the conference, local historian Terry John will be talking on Tenby in Recorde’s time; Gordon and Liz Roberts will be showing the facsimiles they have published of Recorde’s books, and there will also be talks on a recently-released biography of Recorde and his influence on today’s curriculum.

There will also be the opportunity to handle original copies of some of Recorde’s books, which are held by the research library at Tenby Museum.

Tickets for the day are £50 (£45 in advance), which includes lunch, and are available from Sue Baldwin at Tenby Museum or via www.tenbymuseum.org.uk.