The Elements of Euclid – 1825

An attractive and well-preserved 1825 edition of Euclid’s Elements, a founding work of geometry and mathematics written around 300BC.

Euclid’s treatise was originally divided into 12 sections and covers a range of different areas, including plane geometry, number theory and trigonometry. It has been described as the “most successful textbook ever written”, and one of the most translated and studied works in history.

The text in this edition is the well-known translation into English by the Scottish mathematician Robert Simson, who taught and studied at the University of Glasgow for almost 50 years from the 1710s onwards. His translation first appeared in the 1750s, along with a Latin version, with later editions including the addition of a Data section. This is the 21st edition of the first Simson translation.

Illustrated throughout with diagrams, equations and other geometrical drawings. In addition to the main text it includes two fold-out plates, to the rear, visualising elements of Spherical Trigonometry.

Hardback, published in 1825 in London. Printed for Collington, Rivington and others.

In a contemporary full calf binding, with five raised bands to spine, with title in gilt lettering, and gilt borders to front and rear boards. In good condition. Scratches and marks to boards and spine. Inside, copious notes in pencil with some handwritten equations and loosely inserted pages.

Titled in full as:  “The Elements of Euclid. Viz. The First Six Books, Together With the Eleventh and Twelfth. The Errors, by Which Theon, or Other, Have Long Ago Vitiated These Books, Are CSorrected, and Some of Euclid’s Demonstrations are Restored. Also the book of Euclid’s data, in like manner corrected.”

A seminal work of mathematics, and rare in this edition.