Editorial

I am writing this editorial immediately after attending the BSHM “Mathematics Emerging” weekend meeting at The Queen's College, Oxford. This meeting, a tribute to my predecessor as editor of BSHM Bulletin, Jacqueline Stedall, was a wonderfully memorable event, with distinguished speakers talking about work which showed Jackie's deep influence on the study of the history of mathematics. There were talks about exciting new discoveries, and new angles on sixteenth- and seventeenth-century mathematical practitioners and networks. In addition the College Choir gave a performance in the Chapel which included Phillip Cooke's setting of Jackie's words, The World on Fire. The organisers had arranged a remarkable weekend for us.

The meeting reminded us of the profound impression Jackie made on our subject. It picked up on key themes from her work – Thomas Harriot, John Wallis, mathematical networks, the context of historical mathematics – but, perhaps equally importantly, it brought together people who were inspired by Jackie: her importance was not only as a very significant contributor herself as a historian but also as an enabler, someone who (like her mentor John Fauvel) encouraged and supported others, sharing generously her time and ideas.

A full report of the meeting will appear in the next Bulletin, and we are planning to present papers from the meeting in a special issue of the Bulletin in 2017.

April 2016