Arthur W. Conway
Encyclopedia
Arthur William Conway FRS (1876 – 1950) was President of University College Dublin
between 1940 and 1947.
Born in Wexford
, he received his early education in St Peter’s College, Wexford
and proceeded to enter old University College, Dublin in 1892. He received his BA Degree from the Royal University of Ireland
in 1896 with honours in Latin
, English
, Mathematics
and Natural Philosophy
. In 1897 he received his MA degree with highest honours in mathematics and proceeded to Corpus Christi College, Oxford
, becoming University Scholar there in 1901. Also in 1901, he was appointed to the professorship of Mathematical Physics
in the old University College and held the Chair until the creation of the new college in 1909.
He married Agnes Christina Bingham on 19 August 1903; they had three daughters and one son.
Conway developed a friendship with the future Taoiseach and President Éamon de Valera
as a mathematician had developed an interest in Quaternions.
Conway is remembered for his application of biquaternion algebra to the special theory of relativity. He published an article in 1911, and in 1912 asserted priority over Ludwik Silberstein
who also applied biquaternions to relativity.
In 1918, he was the Irish Parliamentary Party
candidate in South Londonderry
and in the National University of Ireland
, coming second in both.
He remained a distinguished scholar in the field of mathematics and theoretical physics, and made a special study of William Rowan Hamilton
. He was also active in college life, being appointed Registrar
, a position he occupied until his election as president in 1940.
University College Dublin
University College Dublin ) - formally known as University College Dublin - National University of Ireland, Dublin is the Republic of Ireland's largest, and Ireland's second largest, university, with over 1,300 faculty and 17,000 students...
between 1940 and 1947.
Born in Wexford
Wexford
Wexford is the county town of County Wexford, Ireland. It is situated near the southeastern corner of Ireland, close to Rosslare Europort. The town is connected to Dublin via the M11/N11 National Primary Route, and the national rail network...
, he received his early education in St Peter’s College, Wexford
Wexford
Wexford is the county town of County Wexford, Ireland. It is situated near the southeastern corner of Ireland, close to Rosslare Europort. The town is connected to Dublin via the M11/N11 National Primary Route, and the national rail network...
and proceeded to enter old University College, Dublin in 1892. He received his BA Degree from the Royal University of Ireland
Royal University of Ireland
The Royal University of Ireland was founded in accordance with the University Education Act 1879 as an examining and degree-awarding university based on the model of the University of London. A Royal Charter was issued on April 27, 1880 and examinations were opened to candidates irrespective of...
in 1896 with honours in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
, English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, Mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
and Natural Philosophy
Natural philosophy
Natural philosophy or the philosophy of nature , is a term applied to the study of nature and the physical universe that was dominant before the development of modern science...
. In 1897 he received his MA degree with highest honours in mathematics and proceeded to Corpus Christi College, Oxford
Corpus Christi College, Oxford
Corpus Christi College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom...
, becoming University Scholar there in 1901. Also in 1901, he was appointed to the professorship of Mathematical Physics
Mathematical physics
Mathematical physics refers to development of mathematical methods for application to problems in physics. The Journal of Mathematical Physics defines this area as: "the application of mathematics to problems in physics and the development of mathematical methods suitable for such applications and...
in the old University College and held the Chair until the creation of the new college in 1909.
He married Agnes Christina Bingham on 19 August 1903; they had three daughters and one son.
Conway developed a friendship with the future Taoiseach and President Éamon de Valera
Éamon de Valera
Éamon de Valera was one of the dominant political figures in twentieth century Ireland, serving as head of government of the Irish Free State and head of government and head of state of Ireland...
as a mathematician had developed an interest in Quaternions.
Conway is remembered for his application of biquaternion algebra to the special theory of relativity. He published an article in 1911, and in 1912 asserted priority over Ludwik Silberstein
Ludwik Silberstein
Ludwik Silberstein was a Polish-American physicist who helped make special relativity and general relativity staples of university coursework...
who also applied biquaternions to relativity.
In 1918, he was the Irish Parliamentary Party
Irish Parliamentary Party
The Irish Parliamentary Party was formed in 1882 by Charles Stewart Parnell, the leader of the Nationalist Party, replacing the Home Rule League, as official parliamentary party for Irish nationalist Members of Parliament elected to the House of Commons at...
candidate in South Londonderry
South Londonderry (UK Parliament constituency)
South Londonderry was a UK Parliament constituency in Ireland. It returned one Member of Parliament to the British House of Commons from 1885 until it was abolished in 1922.-Boundaries and Boundary Changes:...
and in the National University of Ireland
National University of Ireland (constituency)
National University of Ireland is a parliamentary constituency in Ireland, through which graduates of the National University of Ireland have elected members of various legislative bodies including currently Seanad Éireann.-Summary:...
, coming second in both.
He remained a distinguished scholar in the field of mathematics and theoretical physics, and made a special study of William Rowan Hamilton
William Rowan Hamilton
Sir William Rowan Hamilton was an Irish physicist, astronomer, and mathematician, who made important contributions to classical mechanics, optics, and algebra. His studies of mechanical and optical systems led him to discover new mathematical concepts and techniques...
. He was also active in college life, being appointed Registrar
Registrar
A registrar is an official keeper of records made in a register. Registrar may also refer to:-Government records:* Recorder of deeds, government office which maintains public records related to real estate...
, a position he occupied until his election as president in 1940.
External links
- Arthur W. Conway (1911) "On the application of quaternions to some recent developments in electrical theory", Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy 29 A:1–9.
- A.W. Conway (1912) "The quaternionic form of relativity", Philosophical MagazinePhilosophical MagazineThe Philosophical Magazine is one of the oldest scientific journals published in English. Initiated by Alexander Tilloch in 1798, in 1822 Richard Taylor became joint editor and it has been published continuously by Taylor & Francis ever since; it was the journal of choice for such luminaries as...
(6) 24:208. - J. McConnell (1953) Selected Papers of Arthur William Conway, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies.