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Notanda D.J. phys. et math. Lond: Martio 1693 cum Fatio, 31 March 1693

 Item
Identifier: Coll-33/Quarto A [37]

Scope and Contents

Notes to an extended conversation with Fatio de Duillier, fellow enthusiast of Newtonian science at Oxford, and especially important to Gregory between December 1691 and May 1694, when he was cut off from direct contact with Sir Isaac Newton, whom he had offended in a published commentary on his 'abrumpent' mathematical series. Topics include magnetic attraction, refraction and colour, and movement of solids through fluid, with anecdotal remarks by de Duiller about ships, tides, and the French. He mentions a remarkable clock recently made for the Queen. More significant are his lines on how true arches must contain the catenary curve, a fact known generally since 1676, but which first appears in Gregory's corpus here. (Newton subsequently proved it for him, after they had reconciled.)

Dates

  • Creation: 31 March 1693

Creator

Physical Description

1

Physical Description

genreform: manuscript

Conditions Governing Access

Approval required.

Extent

From the Fonds: 0.5 metre

Physical Description

1

Physical Description

genreform: manuscript

Processing Information

Kiki's number = 40

Processing Information

Duncan Fisher 20 June 2001

Repository Details

Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository

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