Gauss and the Non-Euclidean Geometry

Summary

A Review of Gauss's Werke, Vol. VII

We are so accustomed to the German professor who does, we hardly expect the German professor who does not. Such, however, was Schering of Göttingen, who so long held possession of the papers left by Gauss.

Schering had planned and promised to publish a supplementary volume, but never did, and only left behind him at his death certain preparatory attempts thereto, consisting chiefly of excerpts copied from the manuscripts and letters left by Gauss. Meantime these papers for all these years were kept secret and even the learned denied all access to them.

Schering dead, his work has been quickly and ably done, and here we have a stately quarto [1] of matter supplemental to the first three volumes, and to the fourth volume with the exception of the geodetic part.

Of chief interest for us is the geometric portion (pp. 159–452), edited by just the right man, Professor Stäckel of Kiel.

One of the very greatest discoveries inmathematics since ever the world began is, beyond peradventure, the non-Euclidean geometry. Bywhom was this given to the world in print? By a Hungarian, John Bolyai, who made the discovery in 1823, and by a Russian, Lobachevski, who had made the discovery by 1826. Were either of these men prompted, helped, or incited by Gauss, or by any suggestion emanating from Gauss? No, quite the contrary.