Numa Edward Hartog (20 May 1846 – 19 June 1871) was aJewish Britishmathematician who attracted attention in 1869 for graduating fromCambridge University asSenior Wrangler andSmith's Prizeman but as a Jew had not been admitted to a fellowship. Hartog's case led to the passage of theUniversities Tests Act of 1871, which removed religious barriers to holding fellowships at Oxford and Cambridge.
Hartog was born in London on 20 May 1846 to Alfonse Hartog andMarion Moss. He was the elder brother ofCécile,Héléna,Marcus, andPhilip Hartog, and the cousin ofHenri Bergson.
In his earlier academic career, he attendedUniversity College School inLondon, and thenUniversity College London. At Cambridge, he attendedTrinity College. He was a trailblazing figure in overcoming religious obstacles to academic achievement in theUK. For example, when hisB.A. was awarded, the wordsIn nomine Patris et Filii et Spiritus Sancti were omitted. However, he was unable to accept a fellowship due to being unable tosubscribe to the required test on account of his religion.
Within weeks,Solicitor-GeneralJohn Coleridge of theGladstone government introduced legislation to rectify the situation. TheHouse of Lords twice rejected bills passed by theHouse of Commons before finally accepting theUniversities Tests Act of 1871; Hartog's testimony before the Lords helped secure its passage.[1]
He was a member of the Council ofJews' College and an Honorary Secretary of the Society of Hebrew Literature.
Hartog died ofsmallpox at the age of only 25.[2]
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