LSE Public Lecture “Mathematicians at War”

Speaker: Prof June Barrow-Green, Department of Mathematics, LSE & Open University Chair: Prof Martin Anthony, Head of Department, Department of Mathematics, LSE

British mathematicians responded to the First World War in several different ways. There were those who volunteered their mathematical skills for work at the Royal Aircraft Factory where they could experience the practice of flying as well as develop its theory, the National Physical Laboratory where they used wind tunnels, or the Anti-Aircraft Experimental Section of the Ministry of Munitions where they worked on ballistics; those who followed a military path; and those who, for reasons of conscience, refused to take an active part in the War at all. In this talk Professor Barrow Green will discuss the war-time activities of a variety of British mathematicians and examine the impact of the War on their careers as well as on mathematics itself.

Free and open to all on a first come, first served basis.