Henry Farquharson facts for kids

Henry Farquharson (born around 1675 – died December 19, 1739) was an important teacher. He helped bring the study of mathematics to Russia for the first time. He was hired by Peter the Great, the Russian ruler. Peter wanted to bring new ideas and technology from Western countries to Russia.

Farquharson moved to Moscow and started a special school there. Later, he helped create a naval academy in Saint Petersburg. Henry Farquharson had a big impact on learning in Russia. He not only taught math but also helped train the first Russian explorers, surveyors, mapmakers, and astronomers.

Early Life and Meeting the Tsar

Henry Farquharson was born around 1675. His family lived in a place called Milton, Whitehouse, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. From 1691, he studied at Marischal College in Aberdeen. By 1695, he was teaching math there.

In April 1698, he met Peter the Great, the ruler of Russia. Peter was traveling around Europe to learn new things. He especially wanted to build a strong Russian navy. Peter the Great hired Farquharson to teach at a new math and navigation school he planned to open in Moscow.

Teaching in Moscow

The Sukharev Tower in Moscow

Farquharson sailed to Russia with two other teachers, Stephen Gwyn and Richard Grice. They arrived in Archangel by June 1698. When they got to Moscow, they stayed with an English merchant. They taught a few students while waiting for Peter the Great to keep his promise.

By January 1701, the government officially started the Moscow School of Mathematics and Navigation. In June, the school moved to the Sukharev Tower. This tower was a famous landmark in Moscow. It was an old city gate that was repurposed. The school taught many subjects. These included arithmetic, trigonometry, navigation, astronomy, and surveying.

Within a few years, 500 students were attending the school. By 1715, about 1200 experts had graduated from there. The school also had music and plays on holidays. At first, Farquharson taught in Latin. Later, he learned to speak Russian. He was part of a special club called the Neptune Society. This group met in the Sukharev Tower, and Peter the Great himself was in charge. The tsar loved astronomy and would write to Farquharson about eclipses. He also gave Farquharson all the instruments and books he needed. Besides teaching, Farquharson also did important practical work. He suggested building a direct road from Moscow to the new city of Saint Petersburg. He even led the surveying work for this road himself.

Leading the Naval Academy in St. Petersburg

In 1715, Peter the Great founded the St Petersburg Naval Academy. This academy was built where the famous Winter Palace stands today. Farquharson became the main professor of mathematics there. Even though the academy had a president, Farquharson was truly in charge.

He created a wide range of subjects for students to learn. These included math, navigation, drawing, fencing, artillery, and fortification. In the first ten years, 215 cadets graduated from the academy. Many of them went on to finish their training in navies from other countries.

Farquharson was also connected to important scientists in Europe. He wrote letters to famous thinkers like Leibniz and the Royal Society about science and Russia. He is believed to have translated as many as 38 science books into Russian. These included Euclid's Elements and Henry Brigg's Arithmetic logarithmica. Farquharson was also a very skilled mapmaker. He helped create a detailed map of the Caspian Sea.

By the end of his life, Farquharson had reached a high rank in the Russian government. This showed how much he was respected. He passed away in St. Petersburg on December 19, 1739. He was likely buried in St. Sampson's cemetery.