American Author 1914–

Martin Gardner is a prolific writer and an expansive, stimulating thinker. Many of his columns and books are about mathematics.

One of the most well-known creators of mathematical puzzles is Martin Gardner. From 1957 to 1982, he wrote a column for Scientific American called "Mathematical Recreations." He presented intriguing problems, discussed the mathematics of various games, and demonstrated recreational aspects of mathematical discoveries. He always aimed to entertain and stimulate his readers, which ranged from high school students to college professors.

Early Work

Born in 1914 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Martin Gardner became fascinated with mathematics in high school when he took Pauline Baker's geometry course. She communicated a love for the subject that he readily absorbed. Gardner also had other academic interests. He graduated from the University of Chicago in 1936, with a major in philosophy, and did graduate work in the philosophy of science.

Most of Gardner's...