The \textit{Cours d'analyse infinitésimale} of Charles-Jean de La Vallée Poussin: from innovation to tradition (Q485100)

The \textit{Cours d'analyse infinitésimale} of de La Vallée Poussin was in use as the calculus text at the Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium for over 70 years, beginning with a mimeographed version of 1898--99. De La Vallée Poussin (1866--1962) taught the course at the university from 1891 until 1935 when he handed it over to a younger colleague who had assisted with revisions of the textbook. This article recounts the history of the text as it underwent changes through multiple editions that kept it current. Essentially a two-volume work, a third volume was planned at one point. The story thus reflects key aspects of the history of mathematics and mathematics education, from the increasing attention to rigor in the early days to the introduction of Lebesgue integration, measure theory, and differential geometry in the later years. All the while, the author maintains, de La Vallée Poussin's work retained its high reputation for clarity and elegance. This is supported mainly through quotes of testimony of eminent writers who have been influenced by it such as G. H. Hardy and E. Hille. With some revisions, outlined here, the author asserts the book may be found worthwhile reading today.