Mirza Nezam de Gaffary: The Loneliest Mathematician

Abstract

Mirza Nezam‎, ‎a mathematician of the Qajar era educated in France‎, ‎endeavored to Persianize the mathematical knowledge he acquired by devising a Farsi-inspired notation system‎. ‎This task was daunting‎, ‎given Iran's significant mathematical lag compared to Europe‎. ‎Did he succeed? The answer may be known‎, ‎but not the extent of his attempt‎. ‎Now‎, ‎recent discoveries of his extensive mathematical writings provide‎, ‎for the first time‎, ‎an opportunity to assess his efforts comprehensively‎. ‎These findings enable a closer examination of his attempts and their implications within Iran's mathematical progress‎. ‎This paper not only recounts Mirza Nezam's life but also delves into his mathematical contributions‎, ‎arguing that his work represents a unique anomaly that defies comparison with the prevailing mathematical practices of his era in Iran

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