Skip to main content

'Mathematical Theory of Programming Languages', 1965

 File
MS. Eng. misc. b. 295/G.15
Held at the Weston Library

  • Request
    this

Seminar given at M.I.T., autumn 1965.

Contains:

  1. Typescript synopses of the seminar with manuscript additions by Strachey and a list of topics for a term paper.
  2. Manuscript notes (1 page) for introduction to the seminar. This is a very interesting exposition of Strachey's approach to teaching:

    'Not a carefully prepared logical sequence of arguments leading irresistibly to a splendid conclusion. But a series of guerilla forays into a jungle of incomprehension in the course of which we shall retrace our steps, change our minds, run up against blank walls, but, I hope finally emerge with some inkling of the lay of the land and a smattering of the techniques of jungle warfare'.

  3. Extensive manuscript notes, calculations and diagrams prepared by Strachey for the seminar. These have been left in their original ordering and groupings.
  4. In his letters to Leslie Fox (MS. Eng. misc. b. 254/B.4), Strachey describes the seminars ('I was somewhat disconcerted to find that there are nearly thirty people who want to come') and comments on their value as a catalyst (' ... partly as a result of having to prepare for them and partly as a result of the actual discussions in the seminars, I have managed to clear up my ideas on a number of points and am now even more convinced than before that we have a new branch of mathematics to deal with').

Dates

  • Creation: 1965

Extent

1 file

Language of Materials

  • English

Shelfmark

MS. Eng. misc. b. 295/G.15

Former reference:

CSAC 71.1.80/G.15

Related Materials

See also correspondence and working papers regarding CPL (MS. Eng. misc. b. 268/C.136-MS. Eng. misc. b. 272/C.184) and regarding Strachey's later visits and work at M.I.T. (MS. Eng. misc. b. 273/C.202-MS. Eng. misc. b. 273/C.207).

Repository Details

Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository

Contact:
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom