Proceedings of the First Canadian Mathematical Congress, Montreal, 1945

Abstract

Canadian mathematics, at least in the English-speaking provinces, followed closely the English pattern of the nineteenth century. On the other hand, the Canadian school system had many points in common with that of the United States. As years elapsed, the distance of Canada from Great Britain and the traditional fear of being dominated by the United States prevented Canada from following the mathematical advances in either of these countries. This tendency towards isolationism has been aggravated by the lack of intercourse between different parts of Canada itself. A great step in overcoming these defects has been taken by the institution of the Canadian Mathematical Congress, the first meeting of which took place at Montreal in 1945. There were several lectures, some by Canadians and some by distinguished visitors such as G. Birkhoff and L. J. Mordell, research papers, and discussions on methods of fostering research work, on recent advances in statistics, and on the teaching of mathematics to engineering students and in schools. Most of the proceedings were in English, but a few were in French. It was resolved to recommend the founding of a mathematical journal.

Proceedings of the First Canadian Mathematical Congress, Montreal, 1945

Pp. xliv + 367. (Toronto : University of Toronto Press, 1946.) 3.25 dollars.