📅 365 math genius stories are moving to @ZestGenius — subscribe so you never miss one
▶ Subscribe @ZestGeniusAbout Martin Gardner
Martin Gardner was a Recreational Mathematics mathematician born in 1914. He made maths fun for 25 years — in a magazine column read by millions.
Mathematical Games column in Scientific American — 25 years, 300 articles. This breakthrough changed the trajectory of mathematics at a time when the world was in the 20th century, an era of unprecedented mathematical discovery.
The impact is still felt today. Inspired generations of mathematicians and popularised recreational maths worldwide.
Recreational Mathematics
Mathematical Games column in Scientific American — 25 years, 300 articles
Inspired generations of mathematicians and popularised recreational maths worldwide
Born 1914 · 20th Century
Why Martin's Work Still Matters Today
Inspired generations of mathematicians and popularised recreational maths worldwide. This is not merely a historical footnote — the ideas pioneered by Martin Gardner are embedded in the fabric of modern technology, science, and everyday life.
The Math Connection — What Students Learn from Martin
Gardner's puzzles are just word problems in disguise — which is exactly what ZestMath teaches!
Frequently Asked Questions about Martin Gardner
Who was Martin Gardner?
Martin Gardner was a Recreational Mathematics specialist born in 1914. Mathematical Games column in Scientific American — 25 years, 300 articles.
What is Martin Gardner famous for?
He made maths fun for 25 years — in a magazine column read by millions
How did Martin Gardner impact modern mathematics?
Inspired generations of mathematicians and popularised recreational maths worldwide
What field of mathematics did Martin Gardner work in?
Martin Gardner worked in Recreational Mathematics.
Why should students know about Martin Gardner?
Gardner's puzzles are just word problems in disguise — which is exactly what ZestMath teaches!
When was Martin Gardner born?
Martin Gardner was born in 1914, in the 20th century, an era of unprecedented mathematical discovery.
More Math Genius Videos
ZestMath covers one mathematician for every day of the year — here are more stories.
Émile Borel Probability & Analysis 
Guglielmo Marconi Applied Mathematics 
Henry Moseley Mathematical Physics 
Carl David Tolmé Runge Numerical Analysis 
Wilhelm Carl Werner Otto Fritz Franz Wien Physics 
James Baldwin Social Mathematics 
Haile Selassie Mathematical Calendar 
Bernhard Riemann Analysis & Geometry Keep Exploring Mathematics
Master every math word problem with the complete signal words reference — 10 printable pages covering every operation.