Dates
Biography
Colin Maclaurin, born in Kilmodan, Argyll, was a Scottish mathematician who made important contributions to geometry and algebra. The 'Maclaurin series', a special case of the 'Taylor series', is named after him.
At the age of eleven, Colin Maclaurin entered the University of Glasgow, graduating with the degree of MA three years later with a thesis on the Power of Gravity. He remained at Glasgow to study divinity until he was 19, when he was elected Professor of Mathematics at the Marischal College in the University of Aberdeen.
Maclaurin taught a 3-year course from elementary to advanced mathematics, beginning with arithmetic and Euclid, and working up to the Principia and the method of fluxions. He also taught experimental philosophy, surveying, fortification, geography, theory of gunnery, astronomy, and optics. He wrote his A Treatise of Algebra at this time and for use in his courses, although it did not appear in print until after his death.
Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:
Item
Identifier: Coll-2911/6
Scope and Contents
Autograph letter signed by Colin Maclaurin addressed to James Stirling "at Mr Watt's Academy in the little Tower Street, London", dated 16 November 1734, announcing his intention to write
A Treatise of Fluxions ("Upon more consideration I did not think it best to write an answer to Dean Berkeley but to write a treatise of fluxions which might answer the purpose and be useful to my scholars. I intend that it shall be laid before you as soon I shall...
Dates:
16 November 1734
Item
Identifier: Coll-2911/9
Scope and Contents
Autograph letter signed from Colin Maclaurin addressed to James Stirling "at Leadhills", dated 12 May 1738, principally on fluxions ("I am persuaded many things are wanting in the inverse methods of fluxions especially in what relates to fluents that are not reduced and perhaps are not reduced to the logarithms or circle. I give a chapter on these, distinguish them into various orders, and shew easy constructions of lines by whose rectification they may be assigned"), citing the work of...
Dates:
12 May 1738
