Autograph letter signed to James Smith
Publisher Information: Cambridge: 1836.
Peacock, George (1791-1858). Autograph letter signed to James Smith (1781-1867). 1 page plus integral blank. Trinity College [Cambridge], January 24, 1836. 228 x 187 mm. Small marginal tears at upper edge, a few tiny tears along folds, but very good otherwise. Docketed by the recipient.
From mathematician George Peacock, lecturer in mathematics at Trinity College, Cambridge and one of the prime movers behind the reform of mathematics teaching at the University; he was a founder, along with Charles Babbage and John Herschel, of the Analytical Society, the purpose of which was to introduce at Cambridge the differential notation for calculus. His correspondent was Scottish geologist James Smith of Jordanhill, who made significant contributions to the post-Tertiary geology of Scotland and was one of the few early British supporters of Agassiz’s glacial theory. Smith was the father of mathematician Archibald Smith (1813-72), who had just graduated with distinction from Trinity College: He was Senior Wrangler, the title given to Cambridge’s top mathematics student, and also winner of Cambridge’s prestigious Smith Prize in mathematics. Peacock congratulates the elder Smith on his son’s achievements:
"Allow me to offer you my most hearty congratulations upon the splendid honors which have been gained by your son: though these honors have been long anticipated, it must be very satisfactory to you, as it is to myself, to [. . .] their complete fulfillment.
"The examination which he passed was of the most distinguished kind: & I believe that there has been no example equally remarkable since the time of Profr. Airy.
"He is a mathematician of the very highest order & I feel extremely anxious that such rare talents, which have been so carefully cultivated, should not be lost to the cause of science . . .
The younger Smith fulfilled Peacock’s hopes: He made significant contributions to the study of terrestrial magnetism, issued tables for correcting magnetic compass observations aboard ship, and in 1862 published the Admiralty Manual for Ascertaining and Applying the Deviations of the Compass Caused by the Iron in a Ship. His work was of critical importance to British navigation. “Profr. Airy” refers to George Biddell Airy (1801-92), who had also been one of Peacock’s students; he was the Plumerian professor of astronomy at Cambridge as well as Britain’s Astronomer Royal.
Book Id: 42864Price: $850.00