D'Alembert's mathematical correspondence: beyond the formal description of networks (Q2314075)

The great French scientist, philosopher and encyclopaedist Jean le Rond D'Alembert had a large correspondence, including almost 2300 letters exchanged with 450 correspondents between 1741 and 1783. The analysis of these letters leads to an epistolary network representation of the correspondence. Such a complex network might throw new light on other written scientific works of D'Alembert and can provide a broader view of the scientific community in the eighteenth century. As a result of a research initiated by the author with her collaborators, the publication of critical editions of D'Alembert's correspondence is in progress. In the present article, two main points are discussed. After a brief biographical look at D'Alembert's life, the characteristics of his correspondence and its close connection to other written publications and academic activities is studied. Then the main focus is on the circulation of mathematical ideas between Euler, Cramer and D'Alembert from 1748 until 1752. For the entire collection see [Zbl 1411.01011].