FEBRUARY 23rd, 1875:
Many Leaving Cert students would probably agree with this editorial in The Irish Times from 1875 that declared that maths can drive you mad, literally. It went on to seek help for the family of a Trinity College mathematician who had lost his mind.
AN INTENSE study of the higher mathematics and physics sometimes wrecks the intellect and destroys the brain. The University of Dublin some years since had to mourn the sudden death of one of the greatest and most original of her mathematicians.
If to the never satisfied passion for mathematical investigation there are superadded the cankering anxiety to supply the wants of those who are very dear, and the worrying and wearying occupation of teaching for many hours daily to procure the bare means of life, premature death often mercifully removes the man from toil that otherwise would be endless, or the brain cracks, and no more can the intellect comprehend its own discoveries.
We published with great sorrow yesterday a letter from the Rev Doctor Leeper, relating one of the saddest events it has ever been our misfortune to record. An eminent mathematician, on whom the University of Dublin conferred a complimentary degree of Doctor of Laws in recognition of these works and talent has lost his reason and can only exist as if he never possessed a mind. He won a senior moderatorship and Gold Medal in mathematics and physics, and Bishop Law’s Mathematical Prize. His contributions to various public scientific societies in Ireland, England, France, Germany, Russia, and America, are extremely numerous. He published in his own name many monographs on mathematical subjects, and he was corresponding member of several home and foreign scientific bodies. He once sat for Fellowship, but the res angusta domi compelled him to earn, month by month, and often week by week, generally for small pay, enough to keep a very modest home. Fortunately he is unconscious of the loss, but his wife, a lady by birth and education, and his two daughters, have nothing now but the help of heaven, and feeling hearts to look to. We do not yet wish to mention his name, for reasons which can be easily understood, but we knew him well, and can say that a more humble minded, unassuming, industrious creature never lived. He was obliged to work so hard and so incessantly that he could never find time to push himself forward as some have done; and not a few of those who have become eminent in the world forgot the old relation between tutor and pupil, and gave him no helping hand. So at last, one would think, he lost heart and was tired of a vain struggle; and, as he longed for rest, heavy darkness settled upon his mind.
Doctor Hart, Senior Fellow, and the Rev William Roberts, FTCD, both eminent mathematicians, knew the man and know his state. So does Dr Leeper, Prebendary of St Audeon’s, and these will gladly receive any contributions which may be consigned to them for the family. But the great desire of all who knew the man is that his wife and daughters may be awarded a pension from the Literary Fund.
Is there no patriotic representative to represent this case to [British Prime Minister] Mr Disraeli? Is there no learned society to say that a pension on the Civil List might fairly be given to the wife and daughters of an Irish mathematician, whose deep and often interesting and curious investigations have earned encomiums from numerous foreign philosophical societies?
Let the State gives that to his wife and daughters which it is useless to give to him, and save them at least from the terrible anguish of feeling that the blow which darkened a father’s reason deprives his family of bread.
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