The first modern definition of the sum of a divergent series: An aspect of the rise of 20th century mathematics (Q1302117)

The work of Ernesto Cesàro (1859-1906) on divergent series during the 1880s was initially influenced by mathematicians at Naples and at Liège (Catalan). Until 1882 Cesàro used symbolic methods (umbral calculus). Then he employed means and asymptotic laws, in analogy to number theoretic functions, and also a probabilistic approach. Only in 1890 he defined the sum of a divergent series in the way that became named after him. The author views this as a case study on the transition from the earlier conception of a mathematical definition (as describing something that was already given by intuition or nature) to the modern mode (definitions as creating mathematical objects). [Reviewer's remark: This transition is a case of what is often termed loss of ontology.] In contrast to earlier historiography it is claimed here that Frobenius (1880), Hölder (1882) and Stieltjes (1882) remained within the bounds of the ordinary conception of a sum and did not intend to define summability methods. Their results, though, were transformed into such methods by Hardy and others.