Special Collections item

Why not take time out from study this week to visit the Special Collections Reading Room in the Hardiman Research Building and view Diophantus of Alexandria’s Arithmeticorum libri sex (Toulouse, 1670). Known by many as 'the father of algebra', this is volume six in his Arithmetica series, and it includes the first printed statement of Pierre de Fermat's celebrated last theorem. It was edited by Samuel de Fermat, his son, and our copy bears Samuel’s signature. Our copy also includes the errata leaf which tends to be wanting in many copies.

The James Hardiman Library also holds Pierre de Fermat’s Varia opera mathematica (Toulouse, 1679), which bears the signature of Abigail Barusch Lousada, his C19th biographer.

Both tomes are Jesuit printings.

If you would like to view/ consult either item, please submit an online request or contact the staff of the Special Collections Reading Room in the Hardiman Research Building at specialcollections@nuigalway.ie.