Science and literature linked: The story of William and Lucy Clifford. 1845-1929 (Q2655369)

This paper deals with a brief biographical outline of the British mathematician and philosopher William Kingdon Clifford (1845--1879). There also provid details on the life of his wife, Lucy Clifford (1846--1929). We first recall some of the most important scientific contributions of William Kingdon Clifford. Along with Hermann Grassmann, Clifford introduced what is now termed \textit{geometric algebra}. This is a special case of the so-called Clifford algebra, named in his honour, with interesting applications in contemporary mathematical physics and geometry. William Kingdon Clifford was the first to suggest that gravitation might be a manifestation of an underlying geometry. Some of the main points of the present paper are the following: (i) their life together in London; (ii) some of their distinguished friends; (iii) William's tragic early death; (iv) Lucy's 50 years of widowhood. Her literary successes and her wide circle of eminent friends. To conclude this review we recall their epitaphs. William Kingdon Clifford's Epitaph (written by himself): \textit{I was not, and was conceived: I loved and did a little work. I am not, and grieve not.} Lucy Clifford's Epitaph (from Shakespeare's ``King John''): \textit{O yes, such silver currents when they join, Do glorify the banks that bound them in.}