Oxford University Invariant Society

Oxford University Invariant Society
Abbreviation The Invariants
Type Student organisation
Purpose Education
Headquarters Mathematical Institute
Location
  • Oxford, UK
Official language
English
President
 Eliza Casapopol
Website www.invariants.org.uk

The Oxford University Invariant Society, or 'The Invariants', is a university society open to members of Oxford University, dedicated to promotion of interest in mathematics.[1] The society regularly hosts talks from prominent British mathematicians[2] such as G. H. Hardy on wide ranging topics from the mathematics of juggling to the history of mathematics.[3][4] Many prominent British mathematicians were members of the society during their time at the University of Oxford.[5]

History

The Society was founded in 1936 by J. H. C. Whitehead, Graham Higman[6] and Jack de Wet.[7] The name of the society was chosen at random by Higman from the titles of the books; in this case, Oswald Veblen's Invariants of Quadratic Differential Forms. The opening lecture was G. H. Hardy on Round Numbers.[8][9]

Though many members joined the forces during the war, meetings continued, including lectures by Douglas Hartree and H. A. Newman, as well as debates - 'Is Mathematics an end in itself?' - and mathematical films.[10]

Past speakers

The society has hosted hundreds of prominent mathematicians,[11] with recent lectures by David Acheson,[12][13][14] Brian Stewart,[15] Sir Roger Penrose,[16] and Simon Singh,[17] amongst others.

The Invariant

The society publishes an annual magazine entitled The Invariant.[18]

References

  1. ↑ Invariants Society Constitution, http://www.invariants.org.uk/constitution
  2. ↑ http://www.sciencecentral.com/site/501035
  3. ↑ http://www-history.mcs.st-and.ac.uk/Biographies/Higman.html Biography of Graham Higman
  4. ↑ http://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/about/history/ Oxford Maths Institute: History of Mathematics
  5. ↑ More mathematical people: contemporary conversations. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. 1990. ISBN 9780151581757.
  6. ↑ http://www-history.mcs.st-and.ac.uk/Biographies/Higman.html Biography of Graham Higman
  7. ↑ Wilson, Robin (Spring 2011). "Invariant Society 75th anniversary". Oxford Mathematical Institute Newsletter.
  8. ↑ The Early History of the Invariant Society by Robin Wilson, printed in The Invariant (2010), Ben Hoskin
  9. ↑ Professor Graham Higman's Obituary in The Daily Telegraph
  10. ↑ The Early History of the Invariant Society by Robin Wilson, printed in The Invariant (2010), Ben Hoskin
  11. ↑ http://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/system/files/attachments/UG_Handbook2010_0.pdf Oxford Undergraduate Handbook
  12. ↑ Michelmas 2010 Termcard, Bodleian Library
  13. ↑ http://home.jesus.ox.ac.uk/~dacheson/lectures.html
  14. ↑ http://www.solipsys.co.uk/new/DavidAcheson.html?InternalLinks
  15. ↑ Hilary 2009 Termcard, Bodleian Library
  16. ↑ Hilary 2010 Termcard, Bodleian Library
  17. ↑ http://www.cherwell.org/news/world/2010/01/26/the-drugs-don-t-work
  18. ↑ The Invariant, Google Books
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