John Colson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Colson
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John Colson by John Wollaston
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| Born | 1680 |
| Died | 20 January 1760 (aged 79–80) |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | Christ Church, Oxford |
| Known for | Signed-digit representation |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Mathematics |
| Institutions | University of Cambridge |
John Colson (1680 – 1760) was an English clergyman and a brilliant mathematician. He is best known for being the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University. This is a very famous position, once held by Sir Isaac Newton!
Contents
Life and Education of John Colson
John Colson started his education at Lichfield School. Later, he attended Christ Church, Oxford, which is a part of Oxford University. Even though he studied there, he didn't complete a degree.
After his studies, Colson became a school teacher. He taught at Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School in Rochester. His skills in mathematics were recognized, and he became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1713. This is a big honor for scientists.
Colson also served as a clergyman. He was the Vicar of Chalk, Kent, from 1724 to 1740. Later, he moved to Cambridge. There, he gave lectures at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.
Becoming a Lucasian Professor
From 1739 until his death in 1760, John Colson held the important role of Lucasian Professor of Mathematics. This position is one of the most respected in the world of mathematics. He was also the Rector of Lockington, Yorkshire.
John Colson's Mathematical Works
John Colson was interested in new ways to work with numbers. In 1726, he published a book called Negativo-Affirmativo Arithmetik. In this book, he suggested a special way of writing numbers.
Understanding Signed-Digit Numbers
Colson's idea was to use "signed digits." This means numbers could have positive or negative signs. For example, instead of using a 9, you could use 1 with a bar over it (like Failed to parse (Missing <code>texvc</code> executable. Please see math/README to configure.): \bar{1} ). This would mean 10 - 1 = 9. It was a way to make calculations simpler by avoiding large digits.
Translating Isaac Newton's Books
John Colson also played a key role in making famous mathematical works available to more people. He translated several books by the great scientist Isaac Newton into English. One important translation was Newton's De Methodis Serierum et Fluxionum, which Colson published in 1736. This helped spread Newton's ideas about calculus.
See also
- Method of Fluxions
- Witch of Agnesi
