| Previous Control Number: UM754. The Melbourne University Mathematical Society (MUMS) was founded in 1930 primarily for the benefit of tertiary students, mainly undergraduates. The founder and president for the first four years was Sir Thomas Cherry, the Head of the Department of Mathematics from 1929-1963. During his term as president, he aimed to make the society as autonomous as possible, run by students for the benefit of students and mathematics. The first meeting was held on the 13th of May 1930. Speakers from within the Department of Mathematics and professionals who worked with mathematics in their work, such as the Government Astronomer and engineers were invited to address the meetings. Students were also encouraged to speak on a variety of topics. The society was subsided by a grant from the Student Representative Council. There are references to talks given on such topics as the calculation of pi , fractions, the trisection of angles, non-differentiable functions, research in mathematics, spherical trigonometry and space travel. The minutes also contain details of attendance, treasurers' reports and notes for the next meeting. There is also "A Brief History of the Melbourne University Mathematical Society (MUMS)", which in terms of logic, has been placed within this series. |