Underwood Dudley - Icon Profile | Alexandria
Underwood Dudley (born 1937) is an American mathematician and author renowned for his distinctive contributions to mathematics education and his compelling exploration of mathematical misconceptions and pseudoscience. As a professor emeritus at DePauw University, Dudley has particularly distinguished himself through his systematic investigation and scholarly critique of angle trisection attempts and other mathematical fallacies.
Born in New York City, Dudley's academic journey began at Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon University), where he earned his undergraduate degree. He subsequently completed his Ph.D. at the University of Michigan in 1965, with a dissertation focusing on Siegel modular functions. This early work, while significant, offered little hint of the unique path his career would later take in becoming mathematics' foremost chronicler of mathematical folly.
Throughout his career, Dudley has produced several seminal works that have shaped the discourse around mathematical misconceptions. His trilogy of books on mathematical pseudoscience—"Mathematical Cranks" (1992), "The Trisectors" (1987), and "Numerology: Or, What Pythagoras Wrought" (1997)—represents a masterful blend of mathematical rigor and engaging narrative, documenting countless attempts by amateur mathematicians to solve impossible problems. His work is particularly notable for its compassionate yet firm treatment of those who pursue mathematical impossibilities, offering insight into both the psychology of mathematical obsession and the nature of mathematical proof itself.
Dudley's legacy extends beyond his critique of pseudomathematics. As a long-time editor of the Mathematics Magazine and through his numerous publications, including elementary textbooks and scholarly articles, he has significantly influenced how mathematics is taught and understood. His ability to communicate complex mathematical concepts with clarity and wit has earned him the Trevor Evans Award and the Chauvenet Prize from the Mathematical Association of America.
Today, Dudley's work continues to resonate in an era where mathematical misinformation and pseudoscience proliferate online. His methodical approach to examining mathematical claims and his emphasis on rigorous proof serve as a model for modern skepticism, while his humane treatment of those he critiques offers valuable lessons in academic discourse. The questions he raised about the nature of mathematical obsession and the boundaries between amateur enthusiasm and scholarly pursuit remain remarkably relevant to contemporary discussions about mathematics education and public understanding of science.