Teaching the Elements

With the European recovery and translation of Greek mathematical texts during the 12th century—the first Latin translation of Euclid’s Elements, by Adelard of Bath, was made about 1120—and with the multiplication of universities beginning around 1200, the Elements was installed as the ultimate textbook in Europe. Academic demand made it attractive to printers, and soon vernacular versions were introduced throughout Europe: the first English translation was made by Sir Henry Billingsley in 1570. However, despite...