W. H. Besant facts for kids

William Henry Besant (born November 1, 1828 – died June 2, 1917) was a brilliant British mathematician. He was known for his work in fluid dynamics, which is the study of how liquids and gases move. William was also the brother of a famous novelist, Walter Besant. His other brother, Frank, was married to Annie Besant, a well-known social reformer.

William Henry Besant: His Early Life

William was born in Portsea, Portsmouth, England, on November 1, 1828. His family played a big role in shaping who he became.

His Parents and Family

William's father was a quiet and studious man who loved to read. He wasn't someone who pushed himself forward, but he enjoyed learning. He was a regular churchgoer but didn't get caught up in the strong religious movements of his time.

His mother was from a village called Dibden in the New Forest area. She grew up running around the forest, even riding ponies without a saddle! She learned a lot of local stories and wisdom. William's mother was very clever and good at managing their home and looking after her children. She was incredibly proud when her eldest son, William, started winning awards and scholarships for his studies.

School Days

William and his brothers went to Saint Paul's Grammar School. William was an excellent student. He was the top student, or "captain," of the school in 1846, just before he went to Cambridge University.

William's Time at Cambridge University

In 1844, William won a special scholarship to attend Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. This was a big achievement!

Becoming a Senior Wrangler

At Cambridge, William took part in a tough math competition called the Cambridge Mathematical Tripos in 1850. He did incredibly well, earning the title of Senior Wrangler. This meant he was the top math student in his year. He also won another important award called Smith's Prize.

After all that hard work, William needed a break. His brother Walter wrote about how William had a serious illness and needed rest. They went to Freshwater Bay for a holiday. During this time, William talked a lot about Cambridge, inspiring his younger brother Walter to also aim for university.

Teaching and Research

In 1853, William became a Fellow at Saint John's College, Cambridge. He taught mathematics there until 1889. Many of his students went on to become famous mathematicians themselves, including William Burnside and G. B. Mathews.

William also worked as an examiner for the Tripos exams several times. He even coached students who were preparing for these difficult math tests. He was known for being good at all areas of math, including geometry, analysis, and dynamics (the study of motion).

Family Life and Important Books

In 1859, William left his Fellowship at Saint John's College to marry Margaret Elizabeth Willis. Her father, Robert Willis, was also a professor at Cambridge. William and Margaret had two sons and one daughter.

William wrote several important textbooks that helped students learn mathematics:

• Elementary Hydrostatics (1863): This book was about fluid statics, which is the study of liquids at rest. It included many math problems for students. This book was so popular that it was reprinted and updated many times.
• Treatise on Hydromechanics (1867): This book covered fluid mechanics, which is the study of how liquids and gases move.
• Elementary Conics (1901): This book was about conic sections, which are shapes like circles, ellipses, and parabolas.

Recognitions and Legacy

William Henry Besant was highly respected for his work.

• He became a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1854.
• He was made a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1871. This is a very high honor for scientists in the UK.
• In 1883, Cambridge University awarded him a special degree called Sc.D. (Doctor of Science).

William Henry Besant passed away on June 2, 1917, and was buried in Cambridge. His work in mathematics, especially in fluid dynamics, continues to be important in the field.