Mathematicians at War

Abstract

British mathematicians responded to the First World War in a variety of ways.  Some volunteered their mathematical skills for work at the Royal Aircraft Factory where they could experience the risky practice of flying, while others went to the National Physical Laboratory where, safely on the ground, they did experiments using wind tunnels.  Another group joined the Anti-Aircraft Experimental Section of the Ministry of Munitions where they worked on ballistics.  There were also those who followed a military path, and those who, for reasons of conscience, refused to take an active part in the War.  In this talk I’ll discuss the war-time activities of a number of British mathematicians, and examine the impact of the War on their careers as well as on mathematics itself.