  My thesis describes the life and work of the mathematician Major Percy
Alexander MacMahon (1854-1929). His early life as as a soldier in the Royal
Artillery and the events which led to him embarking on a career in mathematical
research and teaching are dealt with in the first two chapters. Succeeding
chapters explain the work in invariant theory and partition theory which
brought him to the attention of the British mathematical community and
eventually resulted in a Fellowship of the Royal Society, the presidency of the
London Mathematical Society, and the award of three prestigious mathematical
medals and four honorary doctorates. The development and importance of his
recreational mathematical work is traced and discussed. MacMahon's career in
the Civil Service as Deputy Warden of the Standards at the Board of Trade is
also described. Throughout the thesis, his involvement with the British
Association for the Advancement of Science and other scientific organisations
is highlighted. The thesis also examines possible reasons why MacMahon's work,
held in very high regard at the time, did not lead to the lasting fame accorded
to some of his contemporaries. Details of his personal and social life are
included to give a picture of MacMahon as a real person working hard to succeed
in a difficult context.
