Robert Anderson (mathematician)

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Robert Anderson (* before 1668, † after 1696) was an English silk weaver and amateur mathematician . He published works on stereometry , determining the trajectory of projectiles and building missiles .

Life

Anderson's origin and date of birth are as little known as his date of death. His life dates can only be found in his publications. He lived as a silk weaver in London.

Anderson first came out with a paper on stereometry that deals with the determination of the volume of different bodies. Initially he was assisted by the mathematician John Collins , who loaned Anderson books, as mentioned in his work. Collins describes Anderson as reserved and very capable in algebra and spatial geometry ("reserved person ... very able in algebra and solid geometry"). The friendship broke up, however, as Anderson's book was found to be flawed and typographical, and led to a public argument between Collins and his friends and Anderson.

Anderson later turned to theoretical artillery. He made numerous mortar firing attempts at Wimbledon Common himself at his own expense . His theory was printed with tables from Thomas Street in The Genuine Use and Effects of the Gunne . Anderson assumes the trajectory as a parabola, but neglects the air resistance and thus received incorrect results, although his experimental results were correct. Collins criticized the book as boastful. He submitted it to the Scottish mathematician James Gregory , John Wallis and Isaac Newton for assessment, but none of those asked wanted to comment publicly on the dispute. Anderson continued his experiments and published further works on this subject and on the construction of rockets by 1694. Even if his mathematical theory was incorrect, Anderson was one of the few in the 17th century who made practical experiments with cannons .

Works

  • Stereometrical Propositions variously applicable, but particularly intended for gageing. 1668
  • The Genuine Use and Effects of the Gunne, as well experimentally as mathematically demonstrated. A new Work of Singular Use unto Generals of Armies, Enginiers, and other Artists. Tam Marte quam Mercurio. With Tables of Projection, etc. by Thomas Streete. 1674
  • To hit a mark, as well upon Ascents and Descents, as upon the Plain of the Horizon. 1690
  • To cut the Rigging, and Proposals for the Improvement of Great Artillery. 1691
  • The Making of Rockets. In two parts. The First containing the Making of Rockets for the meanest Capacity. The other to make rockets by a duplicate proposition, to 1,000 pound weight or higher. 1696.
  • Treatise on the Use and Effects of the Gunne. London, 1713

literature

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Ruth Rhynas Brown: Anderson, Robert (fl. 1666-1696). In: Henry Colin Gray Matthew, Brian Harrison (Eds.): Oxford Dictionary of National Biography , from the earliest times to the year 2000 (ODNB). Oxford University Press, Oxford 2004, ISBN 0-19-861411-X , ( oxforddnb.com license required ), as of 2004, accessed July 30, 2011.
personal data
SURNAME Anderson, Robert
BRIEF DESCRIPTION English silk weaver and mathematician
DATE OF BIRTH before 1668
DATE OF DEATH after 1696