The History of Mathematical Reviews
Mathematical Reviews was launched by the American Mathematical Society in 1940, with Otto Neugebauer as its first editor. Since its founding, Mathematical Reviews has been an important part of the AMS and the mathematical sciences community.
From its first issue of 32 pages and 176 reviews, the publication has grown into the MathSciNet® database, which contains over 3 million total publications, almost 9 million citations, and a reviewer community numbering nearly 17,000 researchers. Learn more about the history and people of MR and the Editorial Offices.
Video: An Introduction to Mathematical Reviews
Articles on the History of Mathematical Reviews
Mathematical Reviews Celebrates 75 Years, from the December issue of the Notices of the AMS- A Brief History of the Mathematical Literature, by Robert G. Bartle. Review of the development of mathematical literature through tracing the history of mathematical communication leading to the founding of Mathematical Reviews in 1940.
- A Half Century of Reviewing, by D. H. Lehmer. Reprinted from A Century of Mathematics in America: Part 1, pp. 265-266, American Mathematical Society, Providence, RI, 1988. MR90a:01064
- The Founding of Mathematical Reviews, by G. Baley Price. In 1990, in honor of the 50th anniversary, G Baley Price, who was much involved in the founding of Mathematical Reviews, wrote an article sharing some of his reminiscences from the early days.
- Mathematical Reviews, by Everett Pitcher. A chapter on the history of Mathematical Reviews up to 1998, from American Mathematical Society centennial publications, Vol. I. A history of the second fifty years, American Mathematical Society, Providence, RI, 1988. MR1002190 (90i:01060).
- Announcing MathSciNet, a brochure marking the launch of the MR database search for the World Wide Web, 1996.
- Announcing Mathematical Reviews, a promotional announcement from the earliest days, January 1940.
- Cover of Volume 1 Number 1 of Mathematical Reviews, January 1940