Hardy’s Reply
dated February 8, 1913

Convinced that Ramanujan was a natural genius, Hardy made up his mind that Ramanujan should be brought to Cambridge. So, even before writing his reply, Hardy wrote, on February 3, to the Secretary of the Indian students, in the India Office, London, suggesting some means be found to invite Ramanujan. In his turn, the Secretary wrote, on February 13, to Mr. Arthur Davies, Secretary to the Advisory Committee for Indian students in Madras conveying the desire of the Tutors at Trinity College. This was conveyed to Ramanujan, by the end of February 1913, through Sir Francis Spring and Mr. Narayana Iyer, the Chairman and Manager, respectively, of the Madras Port Trust. Hardy wrote his reply, in February, 1913, which started with the encouraging statement: “ Dear Sir, I was exceedingly interested by your letter and by the theorems …..” and insisted many times for Proofs and further details about the theorems. Hardy also added to this letter further notes suggested by Mr. Littlewood”. Hardy spread the news about Ramanujan’s letter in Cambridge Mathematical circles.