Francis Alexander Tarleton facts for kids
Francis Alexander Tarleton (born 1841, died 1920) was a smart Irish mathematician and writer. He taught at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) as a Professor of Natural Philosophy from 1890 to 1902. Natural Philosophy was an old name for what we now call physics, especially how things move and interact.
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A Life of Learning and Teaching
Francis Tarleton was born in County Monaghan, Ireland. He studied at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) and spent his whole working life there. He earned several degrees, showing he was a brilliant student.
Roles at Trinity College Dublin
During his time at TCD, Tarleton held many important jobs. He was a bursar, which meant he managed the college's money. He also served as a senior dean and vice provost, helping to lead the university. In 1891, he received a special honorary degree called an ScD, which is a very high academic honor.
His Work in Mathematics
Tarleton wrote several books about dynamics. Dynamics is a part of physics that studies how forces make objects move. He also wrote about the mathematical theory of attraction, which deals with how things like gravity pull objects together. He enjoyed solving and creating math problems for a magazine called Educational Times. In 1868, he became a lawyer, which is known as being "called to the bar."
Leading the Royal Irish Academy
From 1906 to 1911, Tarleton was the President of the Royal Irish Academy. This is a very old and respected group in Ireland that promotes learning and research in science and the humanities.
His Published Books
Francis Tarleton wrote important books that helped people understand mathematics and physics better.
- 1884: An Elementary Treatise on Dynamics, containing applications to thermodynamics, with numerous examples This book was about dynamics, explaining how things move. He wrote it with Benjamin Williamson.
- 1899: An Introduction to the Mathematical Theory of Attraction, Vol. I This book was the first part of his work on how objects attract each other, like planets in space.
- 1913: An Introduction to the Mathematical Theory of Attraction, Vol. II This was the second part of his book series on attraction.
