Andrew Searle Hart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Andrew Searle Hart
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| Born | 14 March 1811 Limerick, Ireland |
| Died | 13 April 1890 (aged 79) Kilderry House, County Donegal, Ireland |
| Occupation | Mathematician and Vice-Provost of Trinity College, Dublin |
Sir Andrew Searle Hart (1811–1890) was an Irish mathematician and a very important leader at Trinity College Dublin (TCD). He was known for his smart ideas in math and for helping run the college.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Andrew Searle Hart was born in Limerick, Ireland, on March 14, 1811. He was the youngest son of Reverend George Vaughan Hart. His family had a long history in Ireland.
He went to Foyle College and also had a private teacher. In 1828, he started studying at Trinity College Dublin (TCD). He became good friends with Isaac Butt there. Andrew Hart earned his first degree in 1833. He continued his studies, getting more advanced degrees in 1839 and 1840. On June 15, 1835, he was chosen as a fellow of the college. This means he was a senior member who taught and did research. From 1827 to 1832, he taught mathematics at TCD.
Amazing Math Work
Andrew Hart became very famous as a mathematician. He wrote helpful books about hydrostatics (the study of how liquids behave) and mechanics (the study of how things move).
Between 1849 and 1861, he wrote many important papers. These papers appeared in well-known math journals. His main focus was on geodesic lines (the shortest paths between two points on a curved surface) and different types of curves.
Hart also worked as a professor at King's Inns in Dublin. There, he taught about property laws.
Hart's Theorem Explained
One of Andrew Hart's most important discoveries is known as Hart's Theorem. He wrote about it in a paper in 1861. This idea came from a question asked by another famous mathematician, William Rowan Hamilton. Hart also discussed it with George Salmon.
Hart's Theorem is a more general version of an older math idea called Feuerbach's Theorem. It talks about circles that touch other circles. Imagine you have three circles. Hart's Theorem says that you can find a special fourth circle. This fourth circle, along with three of the original circles, can all be touched by another set of four circles. It's a complex idea that shows how different circles can relate to each other in geometry.
In 1858, Hart became a Senior Fellow at TCD. This was a higher position at the college. In 1873, he was part of a group that went to London. They spoke to members of parliament about a new law for Irish universities.
In 1876, he was chosen as the Vice-Provost of TCD. This meant he helped run the college. He took on many duties because the main leader, Humphrey Lloyd, was not well.
Personal Life and Recognition
In 1840, Andrew Hart married Frances McDougall. She passed away in 1876. They had two sons who survived him: George Vaughan Hart, who became a lawyer, and Henry Chichester Hart, who was a botanist and explorer.
Sir Andrew Hart was also very involved in the Church of Ireland. He was a member of important church groups for many years.
On January 25, 1886, he was made a knight by the Lord-Lieutenant at Dublin Castle. This was a special honor given to him for his achievements in academics and his high rank at the college.
Sir Andrew Hart passed away suddenly on April 13, 1890, at his brother-in-law's house in County Donegal.
Images for kids
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Sir Andrew Hart with his eight grandchildren, Dublin, 1888. From left to right: Norah Searle Hart, Adelaide (Ada) Hart, George Vaughan (Vaughan) Hart, Hilda Chichester Hart, Tristram Beresford Hart, Ruth Hart, Sir Andrew Searle Hart, Ethel Hart.
