2024 Gresham Lecture: Rob Eastaway on Much Ado About Numbers

Much Ado About Numbers

Shakespeare lived in a period of exciting mathematical innovations – from arithmetic to astronomy, probability to music. Remarkably, many of those innovations are mentioned, or at least hinted at, in his plays. Rob Eastaway explores the surprising ways in which mathematical ideas connect with Shakespeare and reveals that the playwright could be as creative with numbers as he was with words. Along the way, we discover surprising new mathematical insights into the Elizabethan world.

The event will begin with a short prize-giving ceremony for the winners of our student and undergraduate essay prizes, before the BSHM-Gresham lecture proper which will start at 18.00. 

Registration for both in-person and online attendance is via Gresham College at: Much Ado About Numbers: Shakespeare’s Mathematical Life and Times | Gresham College. 

Please note, in-person registration is now full, but you can still join the waitlist. A ticket does not guarantee a seat in the main hall. Once the hall is at capacity, all other attendees will be shown downstairs to an overflow room where a live-stream of the lecture will be available to watch. Hall seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Any unclaimed seats will be given away to attendees without tickets 10 minutes before the lecture begins. Reserved seating is given away 5 minutes before the lecture begins.