America's first school of mathematical research: James Joseph Sylvester at The Johns Hopkins University 1876--1883 (Q1202990)

First the author sketches the development of mathematics and science in nineteenth-century America up to 1876. She shows the gradual change from outdated English textbooks to modern French ones, and outlines the difficulties to get an advanced scientific training in that time. Then the foundation of Johns Hopkins University in 1876 and the first steps in establishing a modern scientific education are described thoroughly and in detail. It was a first important effort to create new standards for advanced instruction in USA. In mathematics this was connected with the appointment of J. J. Sylvester on the chair of mathematics and the emergence of a first mathematical school in USA. Sylvester and his group did research on the theory of invariants and on combinatorics without diminishing the importance of undergraduate studies. Although it failed to continue the mathematical school of Sylvester after his return to England in 1883 the founding of the Johns Hopkins graduate school ``forced other institutions to set up programs of a similar high caliber''.