Lebesgue's criticism of Carl Neumann's method in potential theory (Q2285860)

Quoting extensively from mathematical publications and supplying footnoted translations, the author examines the formulation and reception of Carl Neumann's (1832--1925) method of the arithmetic mean from the 1870s until the author's own contribution in 1977 [with \textit{J. Kral}, J. Math. Anal. Appl. 61, 607--619 (1977; Zbl 0372.31004)]. Neumann's method addressed a criticism of solutions to the Dirichlet problem in potential theory that confused the concepts of infimum and minimum. The author focuses especially on Neumann's own presentations of the method and their critical appraisal by Henri Lebesgue a half century later, arguing that aspects of Lebesgue's criticism missed their mark. All told, this story of proofs and corrections shows the notable persistence of subtle points of confusion through successive efforts to remedy a significant argument and method, somewhat belying the typical image of meticulous rigorisation associated with the examined period of mathematical analysis. Rather than develop such potentially suggestive historiographical implications, the author maintains a mathematical focus on the historical succession of formulations and criticisms.