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School of Mathematical Sciences
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History

Queen Mary University of London has a long, proud and distinctive history built on four historic institutions, stretching back to 1785 and beyond. To learn more about how we came to be the institution we are today, please visit the History section of our main website.

The School of Mathematical Sciences as it is known today was formed in 1984, but our history can be traced back to the 1800s. Below we have put together a timeline of key moments and events in our history. 

History of Mathematical Sciences at Queen Mary

 

Mathematics is first taught at the People’s Palace Technical Schools and Westfield College, two of Queen Mary's founding institutions.

1880s

Miss Lilian Janey Whitby is appointed as Lecturer in Mathematics at Westfield College.

1896

First postgraduate student in Mathematics is admitted.

1906

Mathematics department begins a period of significant growth.

1948

Separate Applied Mathematics and Pure Mathematics branches are created.

1952

Mathematicians move into the purpose-built Mathematics building we still occupy today.

1967

The first computer arrives on campus and needs to be brought in through the roof of the Mathematics building.

1968

Professor Ian Macdonald – who introduced the celebrated Macdonald Identities - is elected to the Royal Society.

1979

The School of Mathematical Sciences - as it is known today - is officially formed.

1984

Statistician, Sir Adrian Smith, is appointed as Principal of Queen Mary.

1998

John Papaloizou, Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy, is elected to the Royal Society.

2003

YouTuber and Stand-up Mathematician, Matt Parker, joins Queen Mary and spends the next ten years working in outreach for the School of Mathematical Sciences.

2009

The Mathematics building is refurbished, adding the ground floor foyer and the external Penrose tiling.

2010

School of Mathematical Sciences obtains the Athena Swan Bronze Award for the first time, confirming its ongoing commitment to gender equality.

2013

Actuarial Science programme is launched and is recognised by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.

2016

Queen Mary University of London joins the Alan Turing Institute.

2018

The Mathematics building undergoes an £18 million refurbishment, delivering state of the art facilities and improved community spaces.

2019

Thank you to everyone that helped build this historical timeline of Mathematics at Queen Mary. We have done our best to include key moments and events, but understand we may have missed some. This is very much a living timeline and if you would like to suggest a contribution, please get in touch. 

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