Archives staff just completed cataloging AU’s mathematics copy books also known as cipher books.  These manuscripts come in two types:

• Instructions on mathematical principles, including arithmetic, square roots, and financial calculations which are followed by exercises and answers;
• Mathematical problems, calculations, and answers including arithmetic and financial calculations.

AU’s collection contains manuscripts from twenty-two students from the United States and five from England.  They were created between 1763 and1850.  Several include hand drawn figures and illustrations.  Though the bulk of the cipher books in our collection feature arithmetic problems, we have several with algebra, geometry and navigation problems as well.  Over half of these manuscripts were donated to AU Library as part of the Karen D. Michalowicz Collection.

The cipher books were cataloged individually.  For a complete list, search our online catalog (ALADIN) using the following search term (Call Number): “Ciphering Book”