ABSTRACT
In this chapter we shall ask what was the role of some of Sraffa’s ‘mathematical friends’ in the genesis of the propositions of his book. This question could not sensibly be approached, let alone answered, prior to the opening of Sraffa’s unpublished papers and correspondence in the Wren Library of Trinity College, Cambridge. The available material provides evidence as to the kinds of problem
Sraffa was concerned with and when, and which of these problems he would communicate to his mathematical colleagues, seeking their assistance to solve them. It is hardly an exaggeration to say that without the help of Ramsey, Watson and especially Besicovitch Sraffa could not have accomplished his task.
