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First edition. 8vo, pp. ix, [x], 154, advert/erratum page. Contemporary calf, worn and abraded, hinges splitting, spine chipped at head, black morocco titling-piece, gilt lettering. Pages 57 to 64 (i.e. one gathering) cancelled and supplied in ornate contemporary manuscript hand. Minor foxing to a few pages. An unprepossessing copy, but scarce. PROVENANCE: Ownership inscription of Ernest Temperley, Queens' Coll, 1885 on flyleaf; bookplate of the Turner Collection, University of Keele, on the front pastedown. Robert Woodhouse (1773-1827) began the move at Cambridge University towards continental-style mathematics, which was later taken further by Babbage, Herschel, and Peacock. He was appointed Lucasian Professor of Mathematics in 1820, and subsequently Plumian Professor of Astronomy at the University. The 19th-century mathematician Isaac Todhunter wrote of the present treatise: "This work details the history of the calculus of variations from its origin until the close of the 18th century, and has obtained a high reputation for accuracy and clearness." A later reprint noted that this edition was "unfortunately, very rare". Seller Inventory # ABE-002
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