E. T. Bell

Date of Birth: February 7, 1883

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: December 21, 1960

Biography

Eric Temple Bell, commonly known as E. T. Bell, was a Scottish-born mathematician and science fiction writer who made significant contributions to both fields. Born on February 7, 1883, in Peterhead, Scotland, he moved with his family to California in 1903. Bell earned his bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and went on to achieve a Ph.D. in mathematics from Columbia University. He spent much of his academic career at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), where he contributed to the fields of number theory and algebra. Bell was also known for his historical and biographical works on mathematics, including his famous book “Men of Mathematics,” which inspired many future mathematicians. Under the pseudonym John Taine, he wrote several science fiction novels that remain influential.

5 Interesting Facts about E. T. Bell

1. E. T. Bell was a prolific writer, authoring over 250 papers and several books.

2. His book “Men of Mathematics” is credited with inspiring many young people to pursue careers in mathematics.

3. Bell was a member of the London Mathematical Society and the Mathematical Association of America.

4. He wrote science fiction under the pseudonym John Taine, and his works in this genre were well-received.

5. Bell had a brief stint as a high school teacher before embarking on his illustrious academic career.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from E. T. Bell

1. “Time makes fools of us all. Our only comfort is that greater shall come after us.”

2. “Guided only by their feeling for symmetry, simplicity, and generality, and an indefinable sense of the fitness of things, creative mathematicians now, as in the past, are inspired by the art of mathematics rather than by any prospect of ultimate usefulness.”

3. “In mathematics, as in art, the spirit of the creative work must be a search for truth and beauty.”

4. “The pursuit of mathematics is a divine madness of the human spirit.”

5. “Mathematics is the queen of the sciences and number theory is the queen of mathematics.”