Abstract
From 1824, during his teaching Ioannis Carandinos introduced descriptive geometry, as well as Monge’s classical treatise in the Ionian Academy. A few years later in independent Greece, the newly founded Military School, inspired by the model of the École polytechnique, included in the curriculum the teaching of descriptive geometry from Monge’s book. Konstantine Negris , a former student at the École polytechnique, tried to diffuse the spirit and methods of Monge during his period at the University of Athens. In the Polytechnic School of Athens, Monge’s treatise was also adopted in the teaching of descriptive geometry as a useful tool for the instruction of craftsmen and engineers. Moreover, the translation of Louis-Benjamin Francœur’s book on linear drawing, as well as that of Jean-Pierre Thénot’s on perspective, gave a considerable impulse in spreading the basic notions of descriptive geometry into secondary schools during the last decades of the nineteenth century when the first treatises on descriptive geometry appeared written in Greek.
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Notes
- 1.
Despite the orthographical error, it concerns the book by Charles Marie Potier, Géométrie descriptive Paris 1817 (96 pages in 8∘).
- 2.
Hermes the Scholar, News regarding French books. Vienna, 15 June 1817, p. 284.
- 3.
From this notification results that it concerns Hachette’s Supplément á la Géométrie descriptive de Gaspard Monge, Paris 1811 (published according to the 3rd edition of Monge’s Descriptive Geometry), as well as, Second supplément de la Géométrie descriptive …suivi de l’Analyse géométrique de M. John Leslie, Paris, 1818. Hermes the Scholar, 1 August 1818, p. 422.
- 4.
Frederick North Guilford (1766–1827), the younger son of Prime Minister Frederick North, 2nd Earl of Guilford, showed early evidence of his capacities by promoting and developing the status of education during his mandate (1798–1805), as the governor of Ceylon. Later, he traveled across Europe in order to enrich his knowledge in the leading universities. His relationship with the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lord Bathrust , facilitated his task organizing the Ionian Academy. In 1819, he was named Chancellor (῎Αρχων) of that institution.
- 5.
Guilford proposed Carandinos for this position: “I will take the liberty of proposing, for that office, our well deserving senior professor John Carandinos”. 17th May 1824. Plans submitted to the government, for the establishment and regulation of the Ionian Academy, Corfou Reading Society. Guilford’s Archives. file V5.
- 6.
See Proselantis’ letter to the Review, Hermes the Scholar, 1812, p. 190.
- 7.
We cannot be certain if the lectures on stereometry comprised elements of descriptive geometry.
- 8.
In Greek, this adjective (here it is used as noun) means hopeful, promising, and this name was given to the very young students of the Ionian Academy. We consider that this nomination, which is used until now, was given also to these young students, who represented the hope for the Greek nation.
- 9.
The complete title is: Dessin Linéaire et arpentage pour toutes les écoles primaires quel que soit le mode d’instruction qu’on y sait, 1e éd. 1819, 2e éd. 1827, Paris. Francœur dedicated this book to the Duc of Gazes.
- 10.
It is interesting that the erudite Greeks named the science of perspective as scene painting based on Geminus’ classification of the mathematical sciences (σκηνογραφικὴ in Greek).
- 11.
Charles-François-Antoine Leroy published his treatise on descriptive geometry in Bruxelles in 1837 (Leroy 1837). See Traité de Géométrie Descriptive avec une collection d’épures, composée de 60 planches.
- 12.
In 1887 in Piraeus (where the Military School was located since 1837), an anonymous translation of Charles-François-Antoine Leroy treatise entitled “On Enumerated Plans” was published (Stratiotiko Scholeio ton Evelpidon 1887). In his book, Greek Mathematical Bibliography, Andreas Poulos considers that this translation followed the 4th edition of the book (Leroy 1855).
- 13.
His book on the theory of shadows was published in 1884.
- 14.
See, for example, Carandinos’ notification on 22 Mai 1827 or his letter to Fourier on September 1828.
- 15.
It is not clear which book was followed in these lessons. According to this source, we could suppose that it refers to J.N.P. Hachette (Hachette 1811).
- 16.
The fees probably made the universitarian studies imperative. However, the majority of students opted for the faculties of law and medicine. It might be stressed that during Negris’ short mandate, no more than six students attended his lectures. However, we must note that only five students graduated from the mathematical department from 1837 until 1866.
- 17.
Since 1850 Ioannis Papadakis ensured the teaching of astronomy and analysis.
- 18.
In 1839, his brother Theofile Hansen (1813–1891), whose buildings constitute even today the architectural ornaments of Athens, was appointed to give lessons in drawing, too.
- 19.
This institution is known under several names: Polytechnic School, School of Constructing Arts and Professions, School of Craftsmen, Royal School of Arts, School of Industrial Arts. We usually utilize the name of Polytechnic School here.
- 20.
The university of Athens was established according to the German model of ordus philosophicus. The physicomathematical department gained its autonomy only in 1904.
- 21.
The word perspective was translated in Greek as dioptics and the same word was used in Francœur’s book, too.
- 22.
His mandate was very short, from 1876 to 1879.
- 23.
Maybe it concerns the book of Ernest Lebon (Lebon 1881).
- 24.
Dimitrios Thomaidis (?–1878) originated from Metsovo (Epirus) became a wealthy merchant in Constantinople. Established since 1873 in Athens, he decided to use his legacy, valid until today, to support the studies (edition of books, scholarships) at Polytechnic School.
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Phili, C. (2019). In Pursuit of Monge’s Ideal: The Introduction of Descriptive Geometry in the Educational Institutions of Greece During the Nineteenth Century. In: Barbin, É., Menghini, M., Volkert, K. (eds) Descriptive Geometry, The Spread of a Polytechnic Art. International Studies in the History of Mathematics and its Teaching. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14808-9_8
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