Many messages about John Fauvel can be found on the website celebrating his life at
www.dcs.warwick.ac.uk/bshm/Fauvel.html
Some are reproduced here. Read and rejoice!
Dear all, Florrie called me on Saturday afternoon, just a couple of hours after John's death. I was shocked and greatly saddened at the news. I got to know John in 1988 at the meeting in Norway organised by Otto Bekken. Since that time, I have seen him frequently - both at meetings and at my home - and have corresponded with him regularly. We had a particularly good working relationship when I was editing the HPM Newsletter and he was the International Chair of HPM. Every issue he sent me something to include - and he was always on the lookout to increase the mailing list and spread the word about the use of history in the teaching of mathematics. Last summer he came to Washington and gave a week's worth of lectures to the high school teachers (and a few college teachers) participating in the Historical Modules project organised by Karen Michalowicz and myself. He did such a wonderful job for that audience; all of the teachers will remember him for years to come and they are all saddened by his death. At the end of that week, he came to my house for brunch - and that was the last time I was destined to see him. I was supposed to see him in New Orleans at the January meeting of the AMS, but I was unfortunately unable to come. And, as usual, he organised a postcard to me signed by a lot of people just to show that I was missed. I was looking forward to working with him on the United States Open University - where I am now an advisor. In that capacity, I finally got the chance to read through the entire OU course on the History of Mathematics. It is really a fantastic piece of work, extremely well written and accessible to people whose mathematics backgrounds are not the strongest. I was also looking forward to seeing him in England next year, since my son will be studying there. I will miss John very much. It is up to all of us to continue his work.
Victor Katz
Dear Colleagues: John's death caught me by complete surprise, I had no idea he was so ill. It is certainly a great loss to the small community of HPM'ers, but also to mathematics education at large. Looking backwards, one can find some consolation in that the ICME book he edited with Jan is out and he could savour such a big accomplishment. May his personality inspire us not only professionally but also alas as human beings.
Abraham Arcavi
Dear friends, I feel the need to contact friends and colleagues of John all over the world. Unfortunately, I soon realised that it was impossible for me to find words to express my feelings about John's personality and the deep sorrow that his untimely death has caused to me. Please, consider this short message as an effort to share my feelings about this tragic event with some friends who came to know John and have certainly realised his quality of the highest rank, both as a scientist and as a man. I also apologise for my poor English that are certainly not enough to convey my feelings. When I learned about this tragic event, I had already prepared a letter to John together with a copy of the proceedings of the Colloquium on the Didactics of Mathematics of which I was the organiser last year in Crete, and in which John was an invited speaker together with others. The proceedings contain his thoughtful talk about history of mathematics as a resource for the mathematics teacher. Perhaps it is the most recent (alas, the last) of his works that has been published while he was still alive. I decided to mail it in the form I had already prepared, with the letter sent personally to him, as if he were still alive. I felt that he is indeed alive in the heart of all those people everywhere in the world who were lucky enough to meet him and presumably work with him. I consider myself as one among them. At this moment this fact encourages me to try harder in the direction in which he, himself, has been living and working so unselfishly, unfortunately without his friendly presence and advice to help me. Kind regards,
Costas Tzanakis
In Memory of John Fauvel It is not frequently the case --- but you will definitely have to count it a blessing if that ever happens --- when you first get acquainted with somebody you immediately feel really at ease with the person and can carry on a conversation which goes far beyond polite exchange of amenities and pleasantries. I had that kind of experience when I first met John Fauvel in the summer of 1988. With his untimely passing in the evening of 12 May 2001 this blessing came to a sudden end. In August of 1988 a workshop was initiated and organised by Otto Bekken at Kristiansand in Norway to “present, discuss and develop concrete ideas from the history of mathematics which can be used to motivate, to illustrate and to enhance the understanding of some key concepts and methods from the mathematics curriculum”. The heterogeneous group of 24 invited participants from different parts of the world with different cultural or academic background --- mathematicians, mathematics educators, historians of mathematics --- turned out to work surprisingly well, each complementing the others and all forming a most congenial and dedicated group. They learned from each other, argued with each other, discussed among each other, but all the time in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, which was helped by the scenic and serene environment of Gimlekollen Mediasenter, a boarding school by the side of woods and lake. Besides the regular programme of lectures/discussion every morning and afternoon, exchange of ideas went on during coffee breaks, at lunch/dinner tables, well into the night (if one can call it the night when it is still so bright at 22:00 hour up there in Scandinavia!), and even on the meandering trail through the woods to a refreshing dip in the cool lake in the early morning. I was at the time a newcomer to this group, many of whom were already by then very active in the. Almost immediately I felt that I was being received warmly into the family. It confirms my belief that a regard for history of mathematics can generate in a person a warm, gentle and humane attitude that will show up not just in the intellectual commitment in the discipline but also in other aspects of life. Among this group of good friends whom I made in the summer of 1988, John stood out as a tall, lean and young chap. For the ensuing twelve years we met quite frequently in conferences. He came to Hong Kong twice in this period, once in 1995 in connection with the making of a film series for the Open University and once in 1998 on his way out to New Zealand as the New Zealand Mathematical Society's Visiting Lecturer. In between such pleasant rendezvous we kept up our correspondence. John had always been so kind and supportive to me, and indeed he contributed much to my professional growth, through his books and papers, through his judicious advice and sometimes just some encouraging words at the right moment. In the summer of 1996 we expected to meet again in Sevilla in Spain and in Braga in Portugal, but the deteriorating health of my father resulted in my last minute cancellation of the trip. John, as thoughtful as usual, sent me a postcard from Sevilla with the signatures of many friends who were attending the conference and conveyed greetings from afar. That is typical of John, always having his friends in mind. A week later I received another postcard from John in Braga telling me how well Chun-Ip Fung, a former student of mine, stood in for me in the talk I was supposed to give. Again, that is typical of John, always ready to give credit and encouragement to newcomers. Last summer we expected to see each other again at Makuhari in Japan and later in Taipei in China. A few days before leaving for Japan I received an email from John saying that he had to miss the conference in Japan because he would be going into the hospital to have an operation on the bile duct. Thinking back, I am once more struck by his thoughtfulness towards friends. I was too careless at the time not to be aware of the seriousness of his illness, which he tried to hide from his friends in order not to cause them anxiety. If this was his intention, he did it well when he appeared in Taipei so cheerfully at the HPM Conference. Participants will certainly remember the jocular performance our good friend John put up at the Kara-oke! Looking back with sadness, I am at least glad that John left me with this last impression of him, a good friend in high spirits. I will treasure it. John, who had taught at the Open University in UK since 1974, was a renowned historian of mathematics, particularly in British mathematical development from the sixteenth century onward. He was the President of the British Society for the History of Mathematics from 1991 to 1994 and had edited its Newsletter since 1995. Besides working as a historian of mathematics, John was also a strong and effective proponent of the relation between history of mathematics and mathematics education. As the Chair of HPM from 1992 to 1996 he promoted activities in the form of international conferences and in co-chairing (with Jan van Maanen) the 10th ICMI Study on the Role of the History of Mathematics in the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics. Were it not for the encouragement coming from John and Jan I might not have the great fortune to work closely with them in that project. Participants at that ICMI Study Conference held in Luminy in April 1998 will no doubt cherish the memorable evening of the conference dinner in which the “three John's” (John Fauvel and Jan van Maanen, the co-chairs, and Jean-Luc Dorier, the local organiser) were heartily congratulated and acclaimed for their admirable dedication and professionalism bestowed on the project. This is just one example of a wonderful collaboration in which John took part. All those who have the good fortune to be acquainted with John and who have worked with him together will, like me, miss him very very much. It is indeed a sad loss for all of us, but we also know that John's memory and contribution will continue to be felt through the many books and papers he had published, and his influence will be carried on through those who have known this wonderful man.
Man-Keung Siu
John Fauvel with George Green mug at Green’s Mill, Snienton. HIMED 92
I had the privilege of getting to know him in 1995 at the Cairns HPM meeting. At this, and all subsequent meetings I have attended, including the Luminy workshop, his presence and generosity of spirit has had an inspiring and unifying effect, academically and socially. My last encounter with him was at HPM in Taiwan, and I am glad that it was such a happy time for all who were there. It is also a great consolation that the ICMI study was published in time for him to see the fruits of his [and Jan's] endeavours It is a tribute to him that there is such a diverse group of people on this mailing list - certainly but a small subgroup of all of the people whose lives have been enhanced by knowing John. He will live on in our hearts and minds. Kind regards,
Gail FitzSimons
Dear All, I share the same great loss of John with Costas and colleagues around the world. He served to be the angle of the HPM community that us the folks should never forget about. I had already been told this truly sad news by my friend and colleague in NYC. Yet given that John's spirit has already been with us, I also hate to admit that I am not capable to measure how he had done to the HPM! To me and colleagues and students in Taiwan, John's vision to balance the West and the East has given us a golden opportunity of exposure to the international HPM family. My students and I will edit one special issue of the HPM Tongxun in June in order to keep his memory alive in Taiwan. Best regards,
Wann-Sheng Horng
John Fauvel passed away last Saturday. This is a really tragic event for all the many friends and colleagues he had all over the world. We all know how much he has done to promote, history of mathematics, the didactics of mathematics and the relation between the two. I would like to propose, if there is still time for that, that the Proceedings of the 3rd UEE be dedicated to his memory as a small indication of admiration and respect for all that he has done in his fertile, stimulating, and rich career both as a scientist and as a man of the highest quality. Kind regards
Costas Tzanakis
Dear friends, With a deep sadness and my poor English I'd like to make a small contribution in memory of John. He was great, both as a professional and as a man. He emanated knowledge, justice and respect to everybody. Thanks to him I knew you all and I learnt a lot. It is a great loss for the community of mathematics education and for the good people all over the world. I am sure that his spirit will live in our hearts forever.
Vicky Ponza
I have thought about John over the week, and thought about the global dimensions of his attitudes and outlook, as well as of his friends and travels, I have thought of ways in which I (and hopefully also the eight people who have already written to me about my book proposal) would like to make the next stage of this link between mathematics, history, art and writing, into something that can be dedicated to his memory. In the meantime, a small group of us here in Dunedin are going to meet together for coffee from 8p.m. till 1a.m. on Wednesday (our time – 7a.m. to 12 noon GMT), to talk about him and remember stories and travels and conferences that we shared with him. Perhaps others might like to do something like that too, at whatever time of day they can come together. For those of you who cannot do that, please think about groups of people around the world thinking and talking about him up until and during the service, which begins in England at 11.30a.m. (GMT).
Coralie Daniel
Dear Friends, Although I had corresponded with him for several years, via e-mail, I first met John Fauvel in person in l992 in Toronto at an international HPM meeting. I was mesmerised with his knowledge, with humour, and with his patience with me, a very amateur mathematics historian. I had presented a paper on Mary Everest Boole and asked him what he might know about her and who he might suggest that I contact about her. He gave me some ideas and then asked me if I would like him to read my paper. “Of course!” was my reply. Not only did John read my paper, edit it with excellent suggestions, he returned it to me before we left the meeting. I was speechless. I hadn't expected him to ask to read my paper. I considered myself fortunate that he offered. I never expected him it edit it. With his suggestions and corrections, I had the preliminary work that enabled me to apply with Florrie's help for and to receive a Fellowship from the Council for Basic Education to continue my research. Last summer, 2000, John came and addressed the National Science Foundation/ Mathematics Association of America Historical Modules Institute that Victor Katz and I co-direct. Our participants, professors and secondary teachers, were in awe, as well as was I. He discussed Euclidean geometry and the US Declaration of Independence with an understanding of US history that few have. John Fauvel will live on in my heart as a mentor and most important, a dear friend. May the Lord bless and keep John, may the Lord's face shine upon him, and give him peace.
Karen Dee Michalowicz
Dear all, It took me a long time to join those who sent so touching messages concerning John's death. So much has been said already, and yet, sorrow is so strong when you loose such an exceptional person who made this community feel as a family (as many said before me). I met John in Seville during ICME. That is where we started our work in the IPC of the ICMI Study on the “role of history in the teaching of mathematics”. Working with John was so pleasant and reassuring. He was so professional and yet so human. The week we all spent in Luminy was a great moment, where John gave us so much. The proceedings of this Study are great, thanks to John and Jan for their really hard work. I am no good for speeches in such circumstances, but my sorrow is deep. I did not meet John very often, but he counted more for me than many people I have worked with more closely. With friendly thoughts to all of you in this sad occasion.
Jean-Luc Dorier
The French Committee inter-IREM Epistemology and History of Mathematics heard of John Fauvel’s death when we held our last meeting in Paris on Saturday May 19th. Many of us did not know that John was ill, so we were deeply staggered and we were sad to lose him so suddenly. We dedicated this meeting to him, and we evocated all the circumstances we met him, in France and all over the world. John was a great Friend of the Committee inter-IREM. He was the editor of History in the Mathematics Classroom, the IREM Papers , published in 1990 by The Mathematical Association thanks to him. He was one of the organiser of the First European Summer University on History of Mathematics, in July 1993 at Montpellier.
John was also a personal friend for many of us. We always remember his good smiling, his kindness and his humour. We think that many persons remember his funny talk, when he received the honour medal of the City of Montpellier.
John’s French was not so bad, and he could understand us. So, “John, nous te regrettons déjà et nous ne t'oublierons jamais.”
For the Committee inter-IREM
Evelyne Barbin
It was a shock to be told that John Fauvel had died. He was so much alive, so full of energy, knowledge, humour, friendliness. As one of many all over the world I have met him again and again at small and large conferences where he was one of the participants, or more often one of the organisers, and always very much the spirit of the whole arrangement. And it has been a privilege to talk with him, to correspond with him, and on a few occasions also to work together with him, lately on the ICMI-Study where he and Jan van Maanen did an incredible job of organising everything and inspiring everybody.
My wife and I will miss John, and we will remember him with gratitude and fondness.
Torkil Heiede
I prepared an obituary note to be published in the next Boletim da Sociedade Brasileira de História da Matemática. Although it is in Portuguese, I am sharing it with you. I am sure he is remembered in various parts of the world and in many languages.
In the name of the Sociedade Brasileira de História da Matemática, which John supported since its foundation, I want to express our deep sorrow for the passing of such a good friend and distinguished scholar.
Em meados de maio, fomos chocados por vários e-mails e telefonemas. John Fauvel, um destacado historiador da matemática, havia falecido, vítima de uma disfunção do fígado e dos rins. Sua saúde estava comprometida há cerca de dez anos, e ultimamente deteriorava rapidamente. Enquanto estava hospedado em casa de amigos à espera de um transplante de fígado, que já havia sido programado, não resistiu e faleceu no dia 12 de maio de 2001, às 18:20, aos 54 anos. A grande perda para o mundo acadêmico só é superada pela enorme tristeza de todos aqueles a quem John havia cativado com sua generosa amizade. Todos aqueles que tiveram a oportunidade de conhece-lo podem entender o quanto ele nos fará falta.
John Fauvel era Professor da Open University, na Inglaterra, desde 1974. Foi Presidente da British Society of History of Mathematics de 1991 a 1994 e Presidente do HPM/International Study Group on the Relations between History and Pedagogy of Mathematics, afiliada à ICMI/International Commission on Mathematics Instruction, de 1992 a 1996. Recentemente, juntamente com Jan van Maanen, John coordenou um ICMI Study sobre History in Mathematics Education, que deu origem a um livro de mesmo nome publicado pela Kluwer Academic Publishers, em 2000.
Seus importantes trabalhos de pesquisa, sobretudo sobre a história da matemática na Inglaterra a partir do século XVI, foram acompanhados por uma notável publicação de artigos sobre a história da matemática no ensino, coletâneas comentadas de clássicos da matemática e de obras que, tanto pelo conteúdo quanto pela beleza gráfica, marcaram época. Destaco, nesta última série, Let Newton Be!, publicado em 1988, Möbius and His Band, em 1993, e Oxford figures: 800 years of the mathematical sciences, em 1999. Foram muito importantes seus livros Darwin to Einstein: historical studies on science and belief, de 1980, e o utilíssimo The history of mathematics: a reader, de 1987.
Ao assistir uma conferência de John Fauvel, era inevitável sair alegre, contagiado pelo seu humor sutil e academicamente profundo, e pela riqueza de informações que ele conseguia colocar em sua palestra. Sua figura, alto e magro, alegre e sorridente, convidava à aproximação. E ao se dar essa aproximação, confirmava-se o acadêmico generoso. Recordações pessoais surgem inevitavelmente ao lembrar um amigo querido. Conheci John desde os primeiros tempos de sua carreira. Estivemos juntos em várias conferências e projetos. Em 1994, ele me convidou para uma conferência no HIMED94, a conferência sobre educação organizada anualmente pela British Association for the History of Mathematics, justamente para falar sobre Etnomatemática. Um convite ousado, pois a etnomatemática era objeto de muitas críticas pelas autoridades educacionais conservadoras da Inglaterra de então. Mas foi mais que um convite para uma conferência. Fiquei hospedado em sua casa, que ainda estava em fase final de reforma, e pude ver e sentir o apego de John à cultura. Fiquei impressionado com sua biblioteca, CDs e coleção de fotos. John tinha interesses que iam muito além da história da matemática. Apoiava, com participação efetiva, inúmeras causas sociais. Lutava por um mundo com maior dignidade para todos. Ter sido seu hóspede foi muito enriquecedor. John levou-me a visitar a Open University, e ali aprendi muito sobre um novo conceito de educação, no qual ele atuava com competência e entusiasmo. E John não deixou de me levar a visitar Stonehenge e arredores, onde foi meu guia e ensinou-me muito sobre história. Foram para mim dias inesquecíveis. Como será inesquecível, para todos, a memória de John Fauvel.
Ubiratan D’Ambrosio
The Portuguese friends of John Fauvel will remember him as a wonderful and kind person that helped them not only to understand better what could be the value of history in mathematics education but, in a more relevant and lasting way, how, even if you are more advanced and informed in a certain subject, you could work with others in a way that really everybody is growing and learning from each other.
We have decided to try to convey this and other memories of our work with John in a collective article in a next issue of the journal of the Portuguese Association of Teachers of Mathematics.
Eduardo Veloso
The occasions we had of meeting John Fauvel were during the sessions of the Université d'Eté Européenne, of which he was a real protagonist. He was a very special and unusually gifted man who brought to the meetings an attitude of enjoyment and relaxation which belied all the hard work and organisation. He did all this with a scholarship combined with great passion for the history of maths, profundity of thought and teaching sensitiveness. Together with his loving memory we can count on a very supportive writing of his.
Giuliano e Maria Grazia Testa
I (Eri Yagi) was socked by the sudden death of Dr John Fauvel, informed by Prof. Ivor G-G. Dr Fauvel was very nice and helpful for me at two meetings, HM, where I participated. Particularly, he kindly edited my talk on the studies on the history of thermodynamics through a database, Christmas Meeting, Birkbeck College, December, 1998, for the Newsletter of British HM, No.39, 1999. I will remember his kind help forever. If possible, some memorial issue could be published for him.
Eri Yagi
The Canadian Society for History and Philosophy of Mathematics held its annual meeting this past weekend. At the beginning of the conference, we remembered John Fauvel's remarkable life and contributions. I said some words on his role as a scholar, his dedication and leadership in bringing the results of our scholarly labours into the classroom, his administrative leadership with both the BSHM and the CSHPM (he was a counsellor); and most of all, his enthusiastic, yet gentle, warm, and incredibly supportive spirit.
We held a minute of silence in his honour, and dedicated the meeting to his memory. Of all the wonderful people in our field, John was (other than my doctoral supervisor) my most valued role model. I will miss him greatly.
Our best wishes to our British colleagues, who must find a way to cope with this great loss.
Glen Van Brummelen
John was both a good friend and a good teacher to me. I share the sorrow that embraces many of us who live in different parts of the world, and who happen to be privileged to know John and his loving character. His academic work, his contribution to the education community in its widest sense, and his encouragement to the younger generation will certainly continue to flourish on earth and in the intellectual world.
Chun-Ip Fung
Dear friends and colleagues, on behalf of the Editorial Board of the journal THEMES in Education in which John served as a Consulting Editor, I would like to express my deep sorrow for his loss. We, in THEMES, that used to know him are deeply shaken by this tragic event. Any word is poor to express feelings such as the death of John caused to all of us. To honour his memory an obituary is going to appear in the next issue of THEMES (Sept.2001). You may send to us any contributions concerning his life and ergography. He may rest in peace.
Constantine D. Skordoulis
Physics & Epistemology of Natural Sciences
Department of Education, University of Athens
Navarinou 13A, Athens GR-10680
Web design by Dr. Katie Ambruso and maintained by Andrew K