Fonds 1895 - University of Toronto Mathematical and Physical Society fonds

The University College Mathematical and Physical Society was founded in 1882, two years after the Mathematics and Physics course was introduced in 1880. Reported to be the first mathematical and physical society of its kind at a North American University, its meetings provided an opportunity for both students and professors to present papers on areas of their special interest. Historical subjects as well as mathematical and physical problems were discussed in these papers, some of which were published by the society in three volumes between 1890 and 1894. In 1891 the society changed its name to the University of Toronto Mathematical and Physical Society and in the 1960's the society took on the role of a course union to perform more practical services for students in Mathematics and Physics.

Many of the society's early student members later achieved fame in the field of mathematics or physics, among these J. C. Fields, W. J. Loudon, Samuel Beatty and I. R. Pounder. An account of the role these men and others played in the Society, as well as a fuller history of the Society can be found in the manuscript essay by John Spender entitled The early history of the Mathematical and Physical Society and Course Union of the University of Toronto.