St Mary's College

St Mary's College

Astronomy,Geology,Mathematics

While this site is arguably the oldest owned by the University (granted in 1419), the incarnation of St Mary’s College as it is known today was founded by Archbishop James Beaton between 1537 and 1539. Although St Mary’s College was streamlined specifically for the study of Theology since 1579, it has also been home to a rich history in Mathematics. Mathematician and astronomer James Gregory (1638-1675) used the upper hall of the University library (King James Library) near St Mary’s as an observatory. There, he also developed one of the earliest and most accurate meridian lines nearly 200 years prior to the Greenwich Meridian’s establishment. Gregory also designed the first practical reflecting telescope. The College has also housed theology students who were distinguished in Mathematics. These include former Regius Professor of Mathematics Robert Haldane (1772 – 1854) and John Playfair (1748 – 1819), known for his work in geology and Euclidean geometry.

For further information on St Mary's College and its mathematics history see here.

mathematicalycurious

jb402@st-andrews.ac.uk

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