Philip Edward Bertrand Jourdain lived between 1879 and 1919, navigating a career as a mathematician, logician, and historian of science while contending with Friedreich's ataxia. His work bridged intellectual divides in the early twentieth century through extensive correspondence with figures such as Georg Cantor, Gottlob Frege, and Ludwig Wittgenstein, while shaping academic discourse via his role at The Monist.
Academic Foundation and Background
Born in Ashbourne, Derbyshire, to Emily Clay and the local vicar Francis Jourdain, Philip Jourdain pursued his formal education at Cheltenham College and the University of Cambridge. His family included notable siblings such as the academic Eleanor Jourdain and the fine-furnishings authority Margaret Jourdain. Despite the physical limitations imposed by his condition, he established himself as a central figure in the exchange of logical and mathematical theories.
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Jourdain maintained a prolific correspondence with major thinkers, which allowed him to bridge gaps in contemporary logic. He engaged deeply with Russell's paradox, leading to his own formulation of the card paradox version of the liar paradox. His interaction with Ludwig Wittgenstein in Cambridge centered on the work of Gottlob Frege, specifically the Grundgesetze der Arithmetik, which Jourdain partially translated. He also served as the London editor for The Monist, a journal that provided a platform for his own explorations in algebraic logic and the history of scientific thought.
Translations and Publications
The breadth of his scholarly output is evident in his numerous translations and original treatises. His own publications included The Nature of Mathematics in 1913 and The Philosophy of B*rtr*nd R*ss*ll in 1918. Additionally, he edited Augustus De Morgan’s Essays on the Life and Work of Newton, reflecting his sustained academic interest in Isaac Newton.
Final Years and the Axiom of Choice
Toward the end of his life, Jourdain turned his attention toward the axiom of choice, an area of mathematics that would eventually be proven independent. His focus became intense, continuing even while he was on his deathbed at Crookham Village. The mathematician J.E. Littlewood recorded that Jourdain persisted in arguing over his own, ultimately incorrect, proofs of the axiom during his final days.
Fast facts
- Born: 16 October 1879, Ashbourne
- Died: 1 October 1919, Crookham Village
- Citizenship: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- Education: Cheltenham College, University of Cambridge
- Occupations: Mathematician, philosopher, historian of mathematics
- Memberships: Academia pro Interlingua
- Notable Works: The Nature of Mathematics (1913), The Philosophy of B*rtr*nd R*ss*ll (1918)
Questions readers ask
What medical condition did Philip Jourdain have?
He was partly disabled by Friedreich's ataxia throughout his life.
Was Jourdain successful in his attempts to prove the axiom of choice?
No, the proofs he published and argued for on his deathbed were incorrect.
