James Whitbread Lee Glaisher facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Whitbread Lee Glaisher
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| Born | 5 November 1848 Lewisham, England
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| Died | 7 December 1928 (aged 80) |
| Alma mater | Trinity College, Cambridge |
| Known for | Glaisher's theorem Glaisher–Kinkelin constant |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Mathematics, Astronomy |
James Whitbread Lee Glaisher (born November 5, 1848, died December 7, 1928) was a very clever English mathematician and astronomer. He was also known for collecting many interesting things. He was the son of famous parents, James Glaisher and Cecilia Glaisher.
Contents
A Life of Learning and Discovery
James Glaisher was born in Lewisham, England, on November 5, 1848. His father, James Glaisher, was a famous astronomer. His mother, Cecilia Louisa Belville, was a talented photographer.
Early Life and School
He went to St Paul's School starting in 1858. When he was just 12 years old, he became famous at school. He went on two hot-air balloon trips with his father! They did this to study the sky high up.
University and Mathematics
James then earned a scholarship to study at Trinity College, Cambridge. He was a top student there. He became a Fellow of the college, which is a special honor. He helped teach at the University of Cambridge.
He is best known for his work in number theory. This is a part of mathematics that studies numbers and their properties. He wrote many papers on different math topics. James Glaisher became a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1875. This is a very important group for scientists. He was also the main editor for a math magazine called Messenger of Mathematics.
Astronomy and Other Roles
He was the president of the Royal Astronomical Society twice. He led the society from 1886 to 1888 and again from 1901 to 1903. It is said that he was offered the job of Astronomer Royal in 1881. This is a very important position in astronomy, but he chose not to take it. He also acted as a "tutor" (a non-academic helper) for the famous thinker Ludwig Wittgenstein.
Hobbies and Collections
James Glaisher lived in special rooms at Trinity College until he passed away there on December 7, 1928. He loved to ride bicycles. He preferred his penny-farthing bicycle, which had a huge front wheel, even when newer, safer bikes came out. He was even the President of the Cambridge University Cycling Club for a few years.
He was also a very keen collector. He loved collecting English Delftware and other types of English pottery. Many people didn't think these items were special at the time. The university even let him use a room at the Fitzwilliam Museum to keep his huge collection. He also collected about 1,600 valentines! He gave all these collections to the museum when he died.
Awards and Honors
James Glaisher received several important awards for his work:
- He received an honorary doctorate (DSc) from the University of Dublin in 1892.
- He also received an honorary doctorate (DSc) from Manchester University in 1902.
- He won the London Mathematical Society's De Morgan Medal in 1908.
- He won the Royal Society's Sylvester Medal in 1913.
See also
- Glaisher's theorem
- Glaisher–Kinkelin constant
