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Martin Gardner

Martin Gardner (born October 21, 1914) is an American recreational mathematician and author of the long-running but now discontinued "Mathematical Games" column in Scientific American.

Table of contents

Interests and writings

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Martin Gardner more or less singlehandedly sustained and nurtured interest in recreational mathematics in the U.S. for a large part of the 20th century. He is best known for his decades-long efforts in popular mathematics and science journalism. His interests range from science and philosophy to magic and the philosophical movement of skepticism, of which he is considered a notable figure in the field. He lives in Norman, Oklahoma.

Occasional conferences of people sharing his interests, known as the "Gatherings for Gardner," are held in his honor. The first was held in 1993.

In his "Mathematical Games" column in Scientific American, he introduced many subjects to a wider audience, including:

He is the author or editor of more than 100 books and booklets, including books on mathematics, science, pseudoscience, philosophy, literary criticism, and fiction (including Visitors from Oz, based on L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz).

In addition to his expository writing about mathematics, Gardner has been an avid controversialist on contemporary issues, arguing for his points of view in a wide range of fields. Though particularly well known for his critique of pseudoscientific beliefs, Gardner has also taken sides on political, economic, historical and philosophical controversies. His philosophical views, for example, are described and defended in his book The Whys of a Philosophical Scrivener.

Martin Gardner has an abiding interest in religious belief. He has written repeatedly about what public figures such as Robert Maynard Hutchins, Mortimer Adler, and William F. Buckley, Jr. believed and whether their beliefs were logically consistent. In some cases, he has attacked prominent religious figures such as Mary Baker Eddy on the grounds that their claims are unsupportable. His semiautobiograpical novel The Flight of Peter Fromm depicts a traditionally Protestant Christian man struggling with his faith, examining 20th century scholarship and intellectual movements and ultimately rejecting Christianity while remaining a theist. He describes his own belief as philosophical theism inspired by the theology of the philosopher Miguel de Unamuno. While critical of organized religions, Gardner believes in God, knowing that this belief cannot be confirmed or disconfirmed by reason. At the same time, he is skeptical of claims that God has communicated with human beings through spoken or telepathic revelation or through miracles in the natural world.

Martin Gardner's philosophy may be summarised as follows: There is nothing supernatural, and nothing in human reason or visible in the world to compel people to believe in God. The mystery of existence is enchanting, but a belief in The Old One comes from faith without evidence. However, with faith and prayer people can find greater happiness than without. If there is an afterlife, the loving Old One is real. "The universe is the most exquisite mechanism ever constructed by nobody", from G.K.Chesterton is one of Martin's favorite quotes.

Gardner is respected by both the magic and scientific communities. His book Fads and Fallacies in the Name of Science has become a classic work. He is deeply admired by James Randi.

There is an asteroid, (2587) Gardner, named in his honor.

Gardner has sometimes used pseudonyms, including "Uriah Fuller" (a parody of Uri Geller, whom Gardner considers a fraud) and "Armand T. Ringer." Under the name Uriah Fuller he wrote Confessions of a Psychic and Further Confessions of a Psychic, two privately printed booklets explaining how so-called psychics do their "seemingly impossible paranormal feats."

Selected works

Chronology of selected books by Gardner


  • 1998 Mathematical Recreations: A Collection in Honor of Martin Gardner, Dover; ISBN 0486400891 – This book, edited by David A. Klamer was the tribute of the mathematical community to Gardner, when he 'retired' (this is a reprint). Discretely assembled for the occasion, the stature of the mathematicians submitting papers is a testament to Gardner's importance

Collections of Scientific American columns

  • Hexaflexagons and Other Mathematical Diversions: The First Scientific American Book of Puzzles and Games 1959, 1988; University of Chicago Press ISBN 0226282546
  • The Second Scientific American Book of Mathematical Puzzles and Diversions 1987; University of Chicago Press; ISBN 0226282538
  • Mathematical Puzzles and Diversions 1959; Pelican, UK ISBN 0140207139
  • More Mathematical Puzzles and Diversions 1961; Pelican, UK ISBN 0140207481
  • Martin Gardner's New Mathematical Diversions from Scientific American 1966; Simon and Schuster
  • Further Mathematical Diversions 1969; Pelican, UK ISBN 014021996X (reprinted as Unexpected Hangings, and Other Mathematical Diversions Simon & Schuster ISBN 0671200739)
  • The Sixth Scientific American Book of Mathematical Puzzles and Diversions 1971
  • Mathematical Carnival 1975; Pelican, UK ISBN 0140220410
  • Mathematical Magic Show
  • Mathematical Circus 1979; Pelican, UK ISBN 014022355X
  • Wheels, Life, and Other Mathematical Amusements 1983; W. H. Freeman & Co. ISBN 0–7167–1589–9
  • The Magic Numbers of Dr. Matrix; Prometheus Books; ISBN 0879752815 / ISBN 0879752823
  • Knotted Doughnuts and Other Mathematical Entertainments 1986; W. H. Freeman & Co. ISBN 0716717999
  • Time Travel and Other Mathematical Bewilderments 1988; W. H. Freeman & Co. ISBN 0716719258
  • Penrose Tiles to Trapdoor Ciphers 1989; W. H. Freeman & Co. ISBN 0716719878
  • Last Recreations: Hydras, Eggs, and other Mathematical Mystifications 1997; Springer Verlag; ISBN 0387949291
  • The Colossal Book of Mathematics: Classic Puzzles, Paradoxes, and Problems 2001; W.W. Norton & Company; ISBN 0393020231 (a "best of" collection)

See also

External links








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