Oxford mathematician is evasive about subtracting transcendental number (7)
I believe the answer is:
dodgson
'oxford mathematician' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'evasive about subtracting transcendental number' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'about' could be 'on' (as in a book 'on' a certain topic) and 'on' is found within the answer.
'number' could be 'g' (G is an example) and 'g' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'dods' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
'is' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dodgson that I've seen before include "Carroll, really" , "Writer" , "Victorian don" , "Lewis Carroll's real surname" , "Author" .)