Mathematical Physics in University and School

Extract

A striking article under this title appeared in Nature of 10th May, 1924. The anonymous writer deplored the present position of mathematical physics in England, and suggested that the mathematical course at Cambridge was now much inferior to what it was in the days of Kelvin, Stokes and Maxwell, in that the physical aspect had been almost crowded out, leaving pure mathematics predominant. As a result, it was declared, there was only one man out of all those who had taken the Mathematical Tripos in the last forty years who had any claim to be recognised for his researches in mathematical physics apart from astronomy and relativity, in which it was admitted that excellent work had been done. The remainder of the article was a strong plea for the inclusion of physics in every mathematical course.