[Rarebooks] FS: He Invented Textbooks at West Point-1848 Practical Perspective

[Joslin Hall Rare Books]

“A Treatise on Shades and Shadows, and Linear Perspective”

By Charles Davies.
Published in New York by A.S. Barnes and Co. in 1848.

DISCUSSION: First published in 1832, this popular book went through a
number of editions.

Charles Davies (1798-1876) was an instructor at West Point. The USMA
website explains- "Davies was appointed to the United States Military
Academy in December 1813 through the influence of General Joseph Swift,
the first graduate of the Academy and Superintendent from 1812 to 1817.
Davies had been brought up on the frontier and therefore had little formal
education. However, his bright mind and hard work made the simple
curriculum at USMA seem easy. After two years, Davies graduated and served
in garrison for one year before resigning to accept the position of
Assistant Professor of Mathematics at USMA. From 1821 to 1823, he was
Assistant Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy. In 1823,
Davies returned to the Department of Mathematics as Professor and stayed
in that position until 1837."

"The superintendent during Davies tenure at USMA was Col. Sylvanus Thayer
who brought the influence of the French Ecole Polytechnic to the Academy.
Under Davies and Thayer, the mathematics curriculum grew from the shadow
of Hutton's Mathematics, a compendium of mathematics, philosophy, and
mechanics in two volumes, through descriptive geometry to the calculus.
Davies orchestrated this curriculum expansion and advanced the methods of
instruction in the classroom. His series of textbooks were so thorough and
complete that by 1839 all the mathematics textbooks used at the Academy
were authored by Charles Davies."

"Mansfield discussed the transition that occurred because of Davies
insight in the following, 'When we old cadets came to the higher branches,
the application of mathematics, much as mechanical philosophy and
engineering, we were completely at sea; no textbook of any sort existed.
Professor Crozet, my professor, taught us descriptive geometry and
engineering with nothing but a blackboard and a piece of chalk. It was in
this state of things that Professor Davies conceived the idea of preparing
textbooks. In the meanwhile he had been promoted to be Professor of
Mathematics, in which office he served fourteen years. In that period he
had not only aided in placing the Military Academy on that better footing
and perfect classification it now has, but began that series of textbooks
he was many years in completing, which stands and will stand a great and
noble monument to his name and usefulness.'

"In May 1837, Professor Davies resigned his professorship at West Point.
He resided in Hartford, Connecticut for the purpose of better perfecting
and publishing his text-books. For the next forty years, Davies was one of
the most prolific and successful authors of educational books in America.
>From 1839 until 1841, Davies was Professor of Mathematics in Trinity
College at Hartford, Connecticut. While serving in this capacity, Davies
formed the business connection with A.S. Barnes for the publication of his
books. Due to a threatening illness, Davies was forced to resign his chair
at Trinity College. In November 1841, Davies was reappointed in the army
as paymaster, with the staff rank of major. He served as Treasurer of the
Military Academy until 1846. In 1848, Davies became the Professor of
Mathematics and Philosophy at the University of New York. He retired from
this job a year later so that he may have more time to devote to the
writing of his text-books. Davies continued to write and rewrite
mathematics text-books until his death on 17 September 1876."

DESCRIPTION: Hardcover. 6.5"x10", 159 pages, with 21 folding engraved
plates. Bound in old cloth with a polished leather spine and gilt title.

CONDITION NOTES: Covers rubbed, some scattered soil and spotting, and
light wear.

PRICE:  $100 -

SOME PICTURES =>
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