David Gregory
Encyclopedia
David Gregory FRS (3 June 1659 – 10 October 1708) was a Scottish
mathematician and astronomer. He was professor of mathematics at the University of Edinburgh
, Savilian Professor of Astronomy at the University of Oxford
, and a commentator on Isaac Newton
's Principia.
The fourth of the fifteen children of David Gregorie, a doctor from Kinnairdy, Banffshire
, and Jean Walker of Orchiston, David was born in Upper Kirkgate, Aberdeen
. The nephew of astronomer and mathematician James Gregory
, David, like his influential uncle before him, studied at Aberdeen Grammar School
and Marischal College
(University of Aberdeen
), from 1671 to 1675, beginning when he was only 12 years old. After his university studies (he never graduated), still only 16 years old, Gregory visited several countries on the continent, including the Netherlands (where he began studying medicine at Leiden University
) and France, and did not return to Scotland until 1683. At the age of 24 he was appointed professor of mathematics at the University of Edinburgh.
In 1690, during a period of political and religious unrest in Scotland (the Gregories were Episcopalians
, and associated with the Jacobite
cause), Gregory decided to leave for England
where, in 1691, he was elected Savilian Professor at the University of Oxford, due in large part to the influence of Isaac Newton
. The same year he was elected to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. In 1692, he was elected a Fellow of Balliol College, Oxford
.
At the Union of 1707, he was given the responsibility of reorganising the Scottish Mint.
He was an uncle of philosopher Thomas Reid
.
Gregory and his wife, Elizabeth Oliphant, had nine children, but seven died while still children.
On his death in Maidenhead, Berkshire he was buried in Maidenhead churchyard.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
mathematician and astronomer. He was professor of mathematics at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
, Savilian Professor of Astronomy at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
, and a commentator on Isaac Newton
Isaac Newton
Sir Isaac Newton PRS was an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, natural philosopher, alchemist, and theologian, who has been "considered by many to be the greatest and most influential scientist who ever lived."...
's Principia.
The fourth of the fifteen children of David Gregorie, a doctor from Kinnairdy, Banffshire
Banffshire
The County of Banff is a registration county for property, and Banffshire is a Lieutenancy area of Scotland.The County of Banff, also known as Banffshire, was a local government county of Scotland with its own county council between 1890 and 1975. The county town was Banff although the largest...
, and Jean Walker of Orchiston, David was born in Upper Kirkgate, Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
. The nephew of astronomer and mathematician James Gregory
James Gregory (astronomer and mathematician)
James Gregory FRS was a Scottish mathematician and astronomer. He described an early practical design for the reflecting telescope – the Gregorian telescope – and made advances in trigonometry, discovering infinite series representations for several trigonometric functions.- Biography :The...
, David, like his influential uncle before him, studied at Aberdeen Grammar School
Aberdeen Grammar School
Aberdeen Grammar School, known to students as The Grammar is a state secondary school in the City of Aberdeen, Scotland. It is one of twelve secondary schools run by the Aberdeen City Council educational department...
and Marischal College
Marischal College
Marischal College is a building and former university in the centre of the city of Aberdeen in north-east Scotland. The building is owned by the University of Aberdeen and used for ceremonial events...
(University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen, an ancient university founded in 1495, in Aberdeen, Scotland, is a British university. It is the third oldest university in Scotland, and the fifth oldest in the United Kingdom and wider English-speaking world...
), from 1671 to 1675, beginning when he was only 12 years old. After his university studies (he never graduated), still only 16 years old, Gregory visited several countries on the continent, including the Netherlands (where he began studying medicine at Leiden University
Leiden University
Leiden University , located in the city of Leiden, is the oldest university in the Netherlands. The university was founded in 1575 by William, Prince of Orange, leader of the Dutch Revolt in the Eighty Years' War. The royal Dutch House of Orange-Nassau and Leiden University still have a close...
) and France, and did not return to Scotland until 1683. At the age of 24 he was appointed professor of mathematics at the University of Edinburgh.
In 1690, during a period of political and religious unrest in Scotland (the Gregories were Episcopalians
Scottish Episcopal Church
The Scottish Episcopal Church is a Christian church in Scotland, consisting of seven dioceses. Since the 17th century, it has had an identity distinct from the presbyterian Church of Scotland....
, and associated with the Jacobite
Jacobitism
Jacobitism was the political movement in Britain dedicated to the restoration of the Stuart kings to the thrones of England, Scotland, later the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Kingdom of Ireland...
cause), Gregory decided to leave for England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
where, in 1691, he was elected Savilian Professor at the University of Oxford, due in large part to the influence of Isaac Newton
Isaac Newton
Sir Isaac Newton PRS was an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, natural philosopher, alchemist, and theologian, who has been "considered by many to be the greatest and most influential scientist who ever lived."...
. The same year he was elected to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. In 1692, he was elected a Fellow of Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College , founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England but founded by a family with strong Scottish connections....
.
At the Union of 1707, he was given the responsibility of reorganising the Scottish Mint.
He was an uncle of philosopher Thomas Reid
Thomas Reid
The Reverend Thomas Reid FRSE , was a religiously trained Scottish philosopher, and a contemporary of David Hume, was the founder of the Scottish School of Common Sense, and played an integral role in the Scottish Enlightenment...
.
Gregory and his wife, Elizabeth Oliphant, had nine children, but seven died while still children.
On his death in Maidenhead, Berkshire he was buried in Maidenhead churchyard.