Mathematics Unbound: The Evolution of an International Mathematical Research Community, 1800--1945

Although the mathematical research community takes its international character very much for granted, this global nature is relatively recent, having evolved over a period of roughly 150 years - from the beginning of the 19th century to the middle of the 20th. During this time, the practice of mathematics changed from being centered on a collection of disparate national communities to being characterized by an international group of scholars for whom the goal of mathematical research and cooperation transcended national boundaries. Yet, the development of an international community was far from smooth and involved obstacles such as war, political upheaval, and national rivalries. This evolution has been largely overlooked by historians and mathematicians alike.