Colorado College,
Colorado Springs, Nov. 20, 1898
Mr. Charles Henry Gauss,
My dear Sir:
As a specialist in mathematics and the history of mathematics, I have
always been interested in your celebrated grandfather, C. F. Gauss.
Lately I have, through your brother Robert Gauss of Denver, become specially
interested in the great mathematician and his descendants. Your
brother has given me some interesting particulars about your father;
he has given me a photographic copy of a letter written by your grandfather
to your father shortly before the latter's wedding. Your brother
has also shown me the translation of a second letter written by your
grandfather. The original of that letter is in your possession,
he says. It has occurred to me that you would be willing either
to supply me with an accurate copy of the original, or to send
me the original for inspection. Should you send me the original,
then you may rest assured that I shall take good care of it and shall
return it to you promptly, after making, for my own use, a copy of it.
I am planning to weave the letters and the historical material that
I am collecting into one, possibly two, articles about Gauss and his
descendants. I received to-day a very interesting letter from
Carl Gauss (the son of Joseph Gauss) of Hameln, Germany. Some
days ago I had also a letter from the Rev. O. W. Gauss of Kansas City,
Mo.
Trusting that you may be able to grant me my request, I am,
Very respectfully yours,
Florian Cajori
Professor of Mathematics
Colorado College,
Colorado Springs, Colo.
Home
