Some Observations on the Early History of Equilibrium Statistical Mechanics

The article begins with some personal comments by the author on the outstanding contributions of Michael Fisher to statistical mechanics and critical phenomena. Its major aim is to trace the contributions of a number of pioneering personalities to the early history of equilibrium statistical mechanics. Four different areas are considered: (1) Classical Statistical Mechanics, (2) Quantum Statistical Mechanics, (3) Interacting Systems, and (4) The Ising Model. The article is concerned with the development and applications of statistical mechanics when certain basic assumptions are made. It does not deal with the justification of these assumptions which is a sophisticated discipline of its own.