# Eric Temple Bell

> Scottish American mathematician and science fiction author (1883-1960)

**Wikidata**: [Q548140](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q548140)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Temple_Bell)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/eric-temple-bell

## Summary
Eric Temple Bell was a Scottish American mathematician and science fiction author who made significant contributions to combinatorics and number theory. He is best known for his work on Bell numbers, Bell polynomials, and Bell series, as well as his popular mathematics books including "Men of Mathematics."

## Biography
- Born: February 7, 1883
- Nationality: Scottish American
- Education: University of Washington, Columbia University, California Institute of Technology
- Known for: Bell numbers, Bell polynomials, Bell series, combinatorics, number theory
- Employer(s): University of Washington, California Institute of Technology, Stanford University
- Field(s): Mathematics, science fiction writing

## Contributions
Eric Temple Bell made fundamental contributions to combinatorics through the development of Bell numbers, which count the number of partitions of a set. He introduced Bell polynomials, a triangular array of polynomials used in combinatorial mathematics, and developed the Bell series, a tool for studying arithmetic functions. His work in number theory and combinatorics has had lasting influence in these fields. As a science fiction author writing under the pen name John Taine, he published numerous novels that combined scientific concepts with imaginative storytelling. His popular mathematics books, particularly "Men of Mathematics," helped bring mathematical concepts to a broader audience.

## FAQs
**What are Bell numbers and why are they important?**
Bell numbers are a sequence of integers that count the number of ways to partition a set into non-empty subsets. They are fundamental in combinatorics and have applications in probability theory, computer science, and other areas of mathematics.

**What was Eric Temple Bell's pen name for science fiction writing?**
Eric Temple Bell wrote science fiction under the pen name John Taine, publishing numerous novels that explored scientific concepts through imaginative storytelling.

**Where did Eric Temple Bell work as a mathematician?**
Bell worked at several institutions including the University of Washington, California Institute of Technology, and Stanford University, where he conducted research and taught mathematics.

**What is Eric Temple Bell's most famous book?**
His most famous book is "Men of Mathematics," a popular mathematics book that presents the history and development of mathematical concepts through biographical sketches of prominent mathematicians.

**What awards did Eric Temple Bell receive?**
Bell received the Bôcher Memorial Prize, a prestigious American award for mathematical analysis, recognizing his significant contributions to the field.

## Why They Matter
Eric Temple Bell matters because his mathematical innovations in combinatorics and number theory continue to be fundamental tools in these fields. The Bell numbers, Bell polynomials, and Bell series he developed are essential concepts that mathematicians use regularly. His work helped establish combinatorics as a rigorous mathematical discipline. Beyond pure mathematics, Bell's science fiction writing under the pen name John Taine helped popularize scientific thinking and speculative concepts. His book "Men of Mathematics" has inspired generations of students and mathematicians by making mathematical history accessible and engaging. Bell's dual career as both a serious mathematician and a science fiction author demonstrates the creative intersection between mathematical thinking and imaginative storytelling.

## Notable For
- Developing Bell numbers, a fundamental sequence in combinatorics
- Creating Bell polynomials, used in combinatorial mathematics
- Establishing the Bell series for studying arithmetic functions
- Writing science fiction under the pen name John Taine
- Authoring the influential book "Men of Mathematics"
- Receiving the Bôcher Memorial Prize for mathematical analysis
- Being elected to the National Academy of Sciences
- Serving as president of the Mathematical Association of America
- Being a member of the American Philosophical Society
- Having asteroid 9988 Erictemplebell named in his honor

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Eric Temple Bell was born on February 7, 1883, in Scotland. He received his early education in the United Kingdom before emigrating to the United States. Bell pursued higher education at several institutions, including the University of Washington, Columbia University, and the California Institute of Technology. His academic journey through these prestigious institutions laid the foundation for his future contributions to mathematics.

### Academic Career
Bell's academic career spanned multiple institutions where he made significant contributions to mathematics. He worked at the University of Washington, where he began his teaching career and developed his research interests. Later, he joined the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), one of the world's leading scientific institutions, where he continued his mathematical research. Bell also held positions at Stanford University, further establishing his reputation in the academic community.

### Mathematical Contributions
Bell's most significant mathematical contributions center on combinatorics and number theory. He developed the Bell numbers, which are used to count the number of partitions of a set. This work has become fundamental in combinatorial mathematics. He also introduced Bell polynomials, a triangular array of polynomials that have applications in various areas of mathematics. Additionally, Bell created the Bell series, a tool used in the study of arithmetic functions. These contributions have had lasting impact on the field of mathematics.

### Science Fiction Writing
Under the pen name John Taine, Bell wrote numerous science fiction novels that combined scientific concepts with imaginative storytelling. His science fiction work demonstrated his ability to think creatively about scientific principles and their potential applications. This dual career as both a mathematician and science fiction author was relatively unusual and showcased his versatility as a thinker and writer.

### Publications and Books
Beyond his research papers, Bell authored several influential books. His most famous work, "Men of Mathematics," presents the history of mathematics through biographical sketches of prominent mathematicians. This book has been widely read and has inspired many students to pursue mathematics. Bell's ability to communicate complex mathematical ideas to a general audience made him an important figure in mathematical education and popularization.

### Professional Recognition
Bell's contributions to mathematics earned him significant professional recognition. He was elected to the National Academy of Sciences, one of the highest honors for American scientists. He also served as president of the Mathematical Association of America, demonstrating his leadership in the mathematical community. Additionally, Bell received the Bôcher Memorial Prize, a prestigious award for mathematical analysis.

### Legacy and Honors
The impact of Bell's work continues to be recognized through various honors. Asteroid 9988 Erictemplebell was named in his honor, commemorating his contributions to mathematics. His mathematical concepts, particularly the Bell numbers, Bell polynomials, and Bell series, continue to be taught and used in mathematical research today. The Mathematical Association of America and other professional organizations continue to recognize his contributions to the field.

### Influence on Mathematics
Bell's work helped establish combinatorics as a rigorous mathematical discipline. His development of the Bell numbers provided a fundamental tool for counting partitions, which has applications in probability theory, computer science, and other areas. The Bell polynomials he introduced have become standard tools in combinatorial mathematics. His work on the Bell series contributed to the study of arithmetic functions, influencing number theory research.

### Educational Impact
Through his book "Men of Mathematics" and other writings, Bell had a significant impact on mathematical education. He made mathematical history and concepts accessible to a broad audience, inspiring many students to pursue careers in mathematics. His ability to present complex ideas in an engaging manner helped bridge the gap between professional mathematicians and the general public interested in mathematics.

### Professional Memberships
Bell was an active member of several professional organizations. He was a member of the American Philosophical Society, one of the oldest learned societies in the United States. His involvement in organizations like the Mathematical Association of America and the National Academy of Sciences demonstrates his commitment to the mathematical community and his recognition by his peers.

## References

1. MacTutor History of Mathematics archive
2. BnF authorities
3. [Source](http://www.nasonline.org/publications/biographical-memoirs/memoir-pdfs/bell-et.pdf)
4. Find a Grave
5. [Source](http://www.ams.org/profession/prizes-awards/pabrowse?purl=bocher-prize)
6. Mathematics Genealogy Project
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. CiNii Research
9. SNAC
10. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
11. NooSFere
12. Vegetti Catalog of Fantastic Literature
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. Czech National Authority Database
15. Integrated Authority File
16. [Source](https://books.google.cat/books?id=PMH2DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA2)
17. LIBRIS. 2009