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Morris Kline (May 1, 1908 – June 10, 1992) was a Professor of Mathematics
Mathematics

Mathematics is the study of quantity, structure, space, change, and related topics of pattern and form. Mathematicians seek out patterns whether found in numbers, space, natural science, computers, imaginary abstractions, or elsewhere....
, a writer on the history
History of mathematics

The area of study known as the history of mathematics is primarily an investigation into the origin of new discoveries in mathematics and, to a lesser extent, an investigation into the standard mathematical methods and notation of the past....
, philosophy
Philosophy of mathematics

The philosophy of mathematics is the branch of philosophy that studies the philosophical assumptions, foundations, and implications of mathematics....
, and teaching of mathematics, and also a popularizer of mathematical subjects.

Kline grew up in Brooklyn
Brooklyn

Brooklyn is one of the five Borough of New York City, located at the western end of Long Island. An independent city until its consolidation with New York in 1898, Brooklyn is New York City's most populous borough, with 2.5 million residents, and second largest in area....
 and in Jamaica, Queens
Jamaica, Queens

Jamaica is a neighborhood in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York, United States. It was settled under Netherlands rule in 1656 in New Netherland as Rustdorp....
. After graduating from Boys High School in Brooklyn, he studied mathematics at New York University
New York University

New York University is a private university, nonsectarian, research university in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan....
, earning a bachelor's degree in 1930, a master's degree in 1932, and a doctorate in 1936.

Kline taught at New York University from 1938 to 1975, and wrote many papers and more than a dozen books on various aspects of mathematics and particularly mathematics teaching.






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Morris Kline (May 1, 1908 – June 10, 1992) was a Professor of Mathematics
Mathematics

Mathematics is the study of quantity, structure, space, change, and related topics of pattern and form. Mathematicians seek out patterns whether found in numbers, space, natural science, computers, imaginary abstractions, or elsewhere....
, a writer on the history
History of mathematics

The area of study known as the history of mathematics is primarily an investigation into the origin of new discoveries in mathematics and, to a lesser extent, an investigation into the standard mathematical methods and notation of the past....
, philosophy
Philosophy of mathematics

The philosophy of mathematics is the branch of philosophy that studies the philosophical assumptions, foundations, and implications of mathematics....
, and teaching of mathematics, and also a popularizer of mathematical subjects.

Kline grew up in Brooklyn
Brooklyn

Brooklyn is one of the five Borough of New York City, located at the western end of Long Island. An independent city until its consolidation with New York in 1898, Brooklyn is New York City's most populous borough, with 2.5 million residents, and second largest in area....
 and in Jamaica, Queens
Jamaica, Queens

Jamaica is a neighborhood in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York, United States. It was settled under Netherlands rule in 1656 in New Netherland as Rustdorp....
. After graduating from Boys High School in Brooklyn, he studied mathematics at New York University
New York University

New York University is a private university, nonsectarian, research university in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan....
, earning a bachelor's degree in 1930, a master's degree in 1932, and a doctorate in 1936.

Kline taught at New York University from 1938 to 1975, and wrote many papers and more than a dozen books on various aspects of mathematics and particularly mathematics teaching. He repeatedly stressed the need to teach the applications and usefulness of mathematics rather than expecting students to enjoy it for its own sake. Similarly, he urged that mathematical research concentrate on solving problems posed in other fields rather than building structures of interest only to other mathematicians.

Books


Kline's books included:

  • Introduction to Mathematics (with Irvin W. Kay), Houghton Mifflin, 1937
  • The Theory of Electromagnetic Waves (ed), Inter-science Publishers, 1951
  • Mathematics in Western Culture, Oxford University Press,1953
  • , T. Y. Crowell Co., 1959
  • Mathematics, A Cultural Approach, Addison-Wesley, 1962
  • Electromagnetic Theory and Geometrical Optics, John Wiley and Sons, 1965
  • Calculus, An intuitive and Physical Approach, John Wiley and Sons, 1967, 1977, Dover Publications 1998 reprint ISBN 0-486-40453-6
  • Mathematics for Liberal Arts, Addison-Wesley, 1967, (republished as Mathematics for the Nonmathematician, Dover Publications, Inc., 1985) (ISBN 0-486-24823-2)
  • Mathematics in the Modern World (ed), W. H. Freeman and Co., 1968
  • Mathematical Thought From Ancient to Modern Times, Oxford University Press, 1972
  • Why Johnny Can't Add: The Failure of the New Mathematics, St. Martin's Press, 1973
  • Why the professor can't teach: Mathematics and the dilemma of university education, St. Martin's Press, 1977 (ISBN 0-312-87867-2)
  • Mathematics: The Loss of Certainty, Oxford University Press, 1980 (ISBN 0-19-502754-X); OUP Galaxy Books pb. reprint (ISBN 0-19-503085-0)
  • Mathematics: An Introduction to Its Spirit and Use; readings from Scientific American
  • Mathematics in the Modern World; readings from Scientific American
  • (with Abraham Wolf Crown)
  • Mathematics and the Search for Knowledge


External links