In 1880 Whitehead received a scholarship to continue his studies at Trinity College, Cambridge. While at Trinity, all of Whitehead's formal education was in the field of mathematics, the British system not having yet accepted the concept of a broad liberal education for all students. Still, he later wrote, his mathematics courses "were only one side of the education" he experienced at Trinity. Another side consisted of regular evening meetings with other undergraduates at which virtually all subjects were discussed. Whitehead later referred to these meetings as "a daily Platonic dialogue." Through these dialogues, Whitehead rapidly expanded his knowledge of history, literature, philosophy, and politics.
Whitehead was awarded his bachelor of arts degree in 1884 for a thesis on James Clerk Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism. A few months later he was elected a fellow of Trinity College and appointed assistant lecturer in mathematics. Whitehead was awarded his M.A. in 1887, and in 1903, was named senior lecturer. Two years later he was granted his doctor of science degree.
Meets and Marries Evelyn Wade
While still at Trinity, Whitehead met Evelyn Willoughby Wade, described in the Dictionary of American Biography as the "daughter of impoverished Irish landed gentry" who was "witty, with passionate likes and dislikes, a great sense of drama, and ...
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