ABSTRACT

We tend to think of mathematics and literature almost as intellectual opposites. But in fact the connections between them are profound. In this lecture we'll look at some of the many ways that mathematical ideas and structures can be found in literature. From the hidden algebra behind poetic forms, to a novel whose underlying structure uses a mathematical puzzle that took 200 years to solve, the goal is to show you that not only are mathematics and literature inextricably linked, but that understanding these links can enhance your enjoyment of both.

About the Speaker:

Sarah Hart is a mathematician and author. She is Professor of Geometry at Gresham College, London - the oldest mathematics professorship in the UK, dating back to 1597, and she is the first woman ever to hold this chair. Sarah is particularly interested in the cultural, historical and creative impact of mathematics, and the links between mathematics and the arts. Her first book, Once Upon a Prime: The Wondrous Connections between Mathematics and Literature, was published in April 2023.