Cohen, I. Bernard, 1914-2003.

Biographical NoteI. Bernard Cohen (1914-2003) was a historian of science, best known for his translation of Sir Isaac Newton&'s Principia Mathematica, published in 1972, the first English translation of the work since 1729. His interest in the history of computing manifested itself primarily in his work as an historical consultant to IBM.Cohen earned a BS in mathematics at Harvard University in 1937 and a PhD in the History of Science at Harvard in 1947. He was the first American to receive a PhD in the subject. He taught at Harvard University as a physics and mathematics instructor (1942-1947), as a faculty member in the History of Science Program (1946-1977), and as the Victor S. Thomas Professor of the History of Science (1977-1984). He participated and held office in a number of scientific societies, associations, and academies.His work as an historical consultant for IBM, and his foray into the history of computers, began with the IBM History Wall, an exhibition at IBM's New York headquarters in the 1960s. Cohen continued to advise IBM on various exhibitions, and offered guidance in the organization of their technical archives and technical history series. He also advised the American Federation of Information Processing Societies and the Smithsonian Institution on historical exhibits, served as a board member of the Charles Babbage Foundation, and mentored many scholars in the history of computing.

Educator.

Cohen taught the history of science at Harvard University and was particularly interested in scientific images. See his Album of Science: From Leonardo to Lavoisier, 1400-1800 (1980) for collection of illustrations documenting the scientific revolution. Cohen was A. S. W. Rosenbach Fellow in Bibliography, November 1973, at University of Pennsylvania.

I. Bernard Cohen (1914-2003) was a historian of science, best known for his translation of Sir Isaac Newton’s Principia Mathematica, published in 1972, the first English translation of the work since 1729. His interest in the history of computing manifested itself primarily in his work as an historical consultant to IBM.

Cohen earned a BS in mathematics at Harvard University in 1937 and a PhD in the History of Science at Harvard in 1947. He was the first American to receive a PhD in the subject. He taught at Harvard University as a physics and mathematics instructor (1942-1947), as a faculty member in the History of Science Program (1946-1977), and as the Victor S. Thomas Professor of the History of Science (1977-1984). He participated and held office in a number of scientific societies, associations, and academies.

His work as an historical consultant for IBM, and his foray into the history of computers, began with the IBM History Wall, an exhibition at IBM’s New York headquarters in the 1960s. Cohen continued to advise IBM on various exhibitions, and offered guidance in the organization of their technical archives and technical history series. He also advised the American Federation of Information Processing Societies and the Smithsonian Institution on historical exhibits, served as a board member of the Charles Babbage Foundation, and mentored many scholars in the history of computing.