John Playfair facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Playfair
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John Playfair – Portrait by Sir Henry Raeburn
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| Born | 10 March 1748 Benvie, Forfarshire, Scotland, UK
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| Died | 20 July 1819 (aged 71) Burntisland, Fife, Scotland
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| Resting place | Old Calton Burial Ground |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Alma mater | University of St Andrews |
| Known for | Playfair's axiom |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | mathematics, natural philosophy, geology |
| Institutions | University of Edinburgh |
| Influences | James Hutton |
Rev Prof John Playfair FRSE, FRS (10 March 1748 – 20 July 1819) was a Church of Scotland minister, remembered as a scientist and mathematician, and a professor of natural philosophy at the University of Edinburgh.
He is best known for his book Illustrations of the Huttonian Theory of the Earth (1802). In 1783 he was a co-founder of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. He served as General Secretary to the society from 1798 to 1819.
Family
Playfair's brothers were architect James Playfair, solicitor Robert Playfair and engineer William Playfair. His nephew, William Henry Playfair (1790–1857) was an eminent architect in Scotland.
He died on 20 July 1819, and although an important man he was buried in an unmarked grave in Old Calton Burial Ground, on Waterloo Place in Edinburgh.
His, and his brother, James's graves were marked by a plaque unveiled in 2011 following a local campaign. The monument to his memory by William Henry Playfair, on Calton Hill, is visible from the spot.
Honours
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
- Fellow of the Royal Society of London, 1807
- Craters on Mars and the Moon were named in his honour
- The mineral playfairite was named in his honour.
Images for kids
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Sir John Playfair by Sir Francis Chantrey
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Memorial to John Playfair, Old Calton Burial Ground
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Fellowship of the Royal Society is an award granted to individuals that have made a "substantial contribution to the improvement of natural knowledge, including mathematics, engineering science and medical science
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Professor John Playfair Monument, Calton Hill, Edinburgh
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