Autograph letter signed to Charles Hutton
Publisher Information: 1821.
Gregory, Olinthus Gilbert (1774-1841). Autograph letter signed to Dr. [Charles] Hutton (1737-1823). 1 sheet, mounted. Woolwich Common, May 16, 1821. 223 x 181 mm. Light soiling along crease, but very good. Dr. Hutton’s signature in the lower left corner, along with note attesting to the signature’s authorship.
From British mathematician and writer Olinthus Gregory, professor of mathematics at the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich from 1807 to 1838, author of works on mathematics, astronomy, mechanics, etc., co-founder of the Royal Astronomical Society, and editor of both the Gentleman’s Diary and Ladies’ Diary. His correspondent, English mathematician Charles Hutton, served as professor of mathematics at the Royal Military Academy from 1773 to 1807; when he retired he was succeeded by Gregory. Gregory, who began teaching mathematics at the Academy in 1802, owed his position there to Hutton’s influence.
Gregory’s letter refers to the recent death of “poor Bonnycastle”; i.e. John Bonnycastle (1751-1821), another professor of mathematics at the Royal Military Academy, whose post Gregory evidently aspired to. “Colonel Ford has written to the Duke of Wellington to-day to recommend me as his successor: but I do not apprehend his Grace will decide very rapidly, as I believe he loves to show his power by keeping places vacant.” Arthur Wellesley, first Duke of Wellington (1769-1852), was then serving as Master-General of the Ordnance; his duties included oversight of the Royal Military Academy, which trained commissioned officers for the Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers.
Book Id: 42775Price: $750.00