Mathematics, Queen and Servant of Science

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June 30, 2026

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"Mathematics, Queen and Servant of Science" is a 1951 book by Eric Temple Bell. Bell, a Scottish-American mathematician, is known for his popular works that explore the history and nature of mathematics.1

The book, like his other popular writings such as "Men of Mathematics," aims to make mathematical concepts accessible to a wider audience. It delves into how mathematics, while a foundational discipline ("Queen"), also serves as a tool for other scientific fields ("Servant"). The work touches upon the development of mathematics, its rigorous standards, and its increasing separation from the physical sciences, a trend that became prominent in the 19th century. Bell's writing style, though sometimes considered fanciful, has historically attracted many readers interested in the subject.12

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Eric Temple Bell
…Men of Mathematics (1937) and Mathematics, Queen and Servant of Science (1951). He also wrote a history of Fermat’s last theorem, The Last Problem (1961). Although rather fanciful and not always historically accurate, these works, particularly Men of Mathematics, continue to attract a wide readership. Under the pen name of…
Read More
…Men of Mathematics (1937) and Mathematics, Queen and Servant of Science (1951). He also wrote a history of Fermat’s last theorem, The Last Problem (1961). Although rather fanciful and not always historically accurate, these works, particularly Men of Mathematics, continue to attract a wide readership. Under the pen name of…
Read More