Philip Beeley and Christoph J. Scriba
- Published in print:
- 2003
- Published Online:
- September 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780198510666
- eISBN:
- 9780191705892
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Discontinued
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198510666.001.0001
- Subject:
- Mathematics, History of Mathematics
This book is the first of a six volume edition
of the complete correspondence of John Wallis (1616-1703). It begins with his
earliest known letters written shortly ...
More
This book is the first of a six volume edition
of the complete correspondence of John Wallis (1616-1703). It begins with his
earliest known letters written shortly before the outbreak of the first Civil War
while he was serving as a private chaplain, and ends on the eve of the restoration of
the monarchy in 1660, by which time he was already an established figure within the
Republic of Letters. The period covered is thus a momentous one in Wallis's life. It
witnesses his election to Savilian professor of geometry at the University of Oxford
in 1649 and his subsequent rise to become one of the leading mathematicians of his
day, particularly through his introduction of new arithmetical approaches to
Cavalieri's method of quadratures. The correspondence reflects the full breadth of
his professional activities in theology and mathematics, and provides insights not
only into religious debates taking place during the revolutionary years but also into
the various questions with which the mathematically-orientated scientific community
was concerned. Many of the previously unpublished letters also throw light on
University affairs. After his controversial election to the post of Keeper of the
Archives in 1658, Wallis fought vigorously to uphold the rights of the University of
Oxford whenever necessary, and to prevent as far as possible outside interference
from political and religious quarters.Less
This book is the first of a six volume edition
of the complete correspondence of John Wallis (1616-1703). It begins with his
earliest known letters written shortly before the outbreak of the first Civil War
while he was serving as a private chaplain, and ends on the eve of the restoration of
the monarchy in 1660, by which time he was already an established figure within the
Republic of Letters. The period covered is thus a momentous one in Wallis's life. It
witnesses his election to Savilian professor of geometry at the University of Oxford
in 1649 and his subsequent rise to become one of the leading mathematicians of his
day, particularly through his introduction of new arithmetical approaches to
Cavalieri's method of quadratures. The correspondence reflects the full breadth of
his professional activities in theology and mathematics, and provides insights not
only into religious debates taking place during the revolutionary years but also into
the various questions with which the mathematically-orientated scientific community
was concerned. Many of the previously unpublished letters also throw light on
University affairs. After his controversial election to the post of Keeper of the
Archives in 1658, Wallis fought vigorously to uphold the rights of the University of
Oxford whenever necessary, and to prevent as far as possible outside interference
from political and religious quarters.
Philip Beeley and Christoph Scriba
- Published in print:
- 2005
- Published Online:
- September 2008
- ISBN:
- 9780198566014
- eISBN:
- 9780191713996
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Discontinued
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198566014.001.0001
- Subject:
- Mathematics, History of Mathematics
This is the second book of a six volume edition of the complete correspondence of one of the leading figures in the scientific revolution of the 17th century, the Oxford mathematician and theologian ...
More
This is the second book of a six volume edition of the complete correspondence of one of the leading figures in the scientific revolution of the 17th century, the Oxford mathematician and theologian John Wallis (1616–1703). It covers the period 1660 to September 1668 and thus some of the most decisive years of political and scientific reorganization in England during that century. The volume begins shortly before the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 and witnesses the emergence of the Royal Society from scientific circles, which had existed earlier in London and Oxford. Wallis's involvement in the Royal Society stretches back to its beginnings. After its official establishment, he became one of its most active members, corresponding regularly with its secretary Henry Oldenburg and attending meetings whenever he was in London. Wallis contributed extensively to contemporary scientific debate both in England and on the continent, and many of his letters to Oldenburg on mathematical and physical topics were edited and published in the journal Philosophical Transactions to this purpose. The correspondence contained in the volume, much of which is previously unpublished, throws new light on the background to the scientific revolution and on university politics during this time. As Keeper of the Archives, Wallis was often called upon to prepare papers aimed at defending the University of Oxford's ancient rights and privileges, and was also required to spend a considerable amount of his time in London. To this extent, at least his university commitments and scientific interests were able to go hand-in-hand.Less
This is the second book of a six volume edition of the complete correspondence of one of the leading figures in the scientific revolution of the 17th century, the Oxford mathematician and theologian John Wallis (1616–1703). It covers the period 1660 to September 1668 and thus some of the most decisive years of political and scientific reorganization in England during that century. The volume begins shortly before the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 and witnesses the emergence of the Royal Society from scientific circles, which had existed earlier in London and Oxford. Wallis's involvement in the Royal Society stretches back to its beginnings. After its official establishment, he became one of its most active members, corresponding regularly with its secretary Henry Oldenburg and attending meetings whenever he was in London. Wallis contributed extensively to contemporary scientific debate both in England and on the continent, and many of his letters to Oldenburg on mathematical and physical topics were edited and published in the journal Philosophical Transactions to this purpose. The correspondence contained in the volume, much of which is previously unpublished, throws new light on the background to the scientific revolution and on university politics during this time. As Keeper of the Archives, Wallis was often called upon to prepare papers aimed at defending the University of Oxford's ancient rights and privileges, and was also required to spend a considerable amount of his time in London. To this extent, at least his university commitments and scientific interests were able to go hand-in-hand.