Dodgson condensation Dodgson condensation In mathematics, Dodgson condensation is a method of computing the determinants of square matrices. It is named for its inventor, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (better known as Lewis Carroll). The method in the case of an "n" × "n" matrix is to construct an ("n" − 1) × ("n" − 1) matrix, an ("n" − 2) × ("n" − 2), and so on, finishing with a 1 × 1 matrix, which has one entry, the determinant of the original matrix. This algorithm can be described in the following four steps: One wishes to find We make a matrix of
Campbell Dodgson the War Office; his 1918 CBE was a recognition of this work (DNB, 1941-50 : 216). He was the editor, in the 1920s, of "The Print Collector’s Quarterly". He was also a contributor to the "Burlington Magazine" and to the Dictionary of National Biography. Dodgson married Frances Catherine Spooner, daughter of William Archibald Spooner (Warden of New College and the eponymous author of 'Spoonerisms'), in 1913 (DNB, 1941-50 : 216). Dodgson gave generously to the British Museum during his Keepership, but at the same time amassed a very large collection of over 5,000 prints which he bequeathed to the Museum.