In his book "Prime Obsession", about the mathematician Bernhard Riemann, John Derbyshire notes a connection between the study of higher mathematics and longevity. On page 375 of "Prime Obsession" at footnote 51, he writes the following:
"A few unfortunate cases like Riemann notwithstanding, higher mathematics is wonderfuly healthful. In writing this book, I have been struck by the number of mathematicians who lived to advanced ages, active to near the end."
Derbyshire then goes on to quote the following excerpt from J.E. Littlewood's "The Mathematician's Art of Work":
"Mathematics is very hard work, and dons tend to be above the average in health and vigor. Below a certain threshold a man cracks up, but above it hard mental work makes for health and vigor (also - on much historical evidence through the ages - for longevity)."
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In his book "Prime Obsession", about the mathematician Bernhard Riemann, John Derbyshire notes a connection between the study of higher mathematics and longevity. On page 375 of "Prime Obsession" at footnote 51, he writes the following: "A few unfortunate cases like Riemann notwithstanding, higher mathematics is wonderfuly healthful. In writing this book, I have been struck by the number of mathematicians who lived to advanced ages, active to near the end." Derbyshire then goes on to quote the following excerpt from J.E. Littlewood's "The Mathematician's Art of Work": "Mathematics is very hard work, and dons tend to be above the average in health and vigor. Below a certain threshold a man cracks up, but above it hard mental work makes for health and vigor (also - on much historical evidence through the ages - for longevity)."