Record

MS - Manuscripts General
- 82 - Correspondence of Dr Brook Taylor, Secretary of the Royal Society

RefNo	MS/82/9
Level	Item
Title	Copy letter from Brook Taylor to [John Keill], with extracts from letters by [Pierre Remond de] Montmort and Taylor
Date	3 May 1720
Description	Sending extracts from letters by and to de Montmort relating to the controversy opposing Taylor to [Jean] Bernouilli. Asks Keill to use them in any published refutation as Taylor find it "very uneasy... to think of giving myself any more trouble about him". Includes extracts from 7 letters which all include details on the controversy with [Jean Bernoulli] 22 June 1717: de Montmort to Taylor [Mentions the accusation of plagiarism brought by Bernoulli in "Epistola pro Eminente Mathematico" against Taylor. Confirms that though anonymous Bernoulli is certainly the author. Montmort reiterates his opinion that [Isaac] Newton has priority on differential and integral calculus. 5 August 1719: de Montmort to Taylor [On the subject of "Epistola pro Eminente Mathematico" which include very strong terms against [John Keill], notes that although it is natural to have disagreements, they should be articulated with moderation and good manners. de Monmort has already told Bernoulli his thoughts on the matter, describes him as "a geometer and mind of first caliber, but delicate and sensitive", while on the other hand Keill has an "outrageous zeal for his nation". On the topic of the curve of resistance as relate to velocity, Bernoulli defens his method as easier and more generally applicable than Herman of his nephew.] 5 November 1718: de Montmort to Taylor [The author of "Epistola pro Eminente Mathematico" is bringing serious allegations against Taylor and he will have to answer them.] 26 January 1719: Bernoulli to Taylor [Extracts from MS/82/8, but with a different date attributed to it, Bernoulli refuses to solve a reduction proposed by Taylor, saying [Isaac] Newton and himself are entitled to 'rest on their laurels'. Sets a mathematical bet with Taylor, asking Montmort to serve as arbitror] 5 February 1719: Taylor to de Montmort [Extract from MS/82/8a, Taylor will vindicated himself publically against Bernoulli very soon. Refuses to make comparisons between his and Bernoulli's mathematical abilities and therefore rejecting the bet offered by Bernoulli.] 27 Feburary 1719: de Montmor to Taylor [Agrees with Taylor that Bernoulli's pride is detrimental, and has already told him directly that he should speak more respectfully of his own brother.] 4 April 1719: Taylor to de Montmort [Congratulates [Jakob] Herman on successfully solving the challenge he had originally set for Bernoulli. If Leibniz had been alive, the challenge would have been set for him. Will not accept the wadger as the bet was only made with Bernoulli.] 21 April 1719: de Montmor to Taylor [Looking forward to seeing Taylor's defense against Bernoulli. Will give him his opinion frankly. Also certain that Bernoulli is the author of "Epistola pro Eminente Mathematico", and is full of jealousy. When he was involved in a controversy with his own brother, they were both wrong but [Jean] even more than Jacques [Bernoulli].
Extent	4 pages
Format	Manuscript
PhysicalDescription	Ink on paper
AccessStatus	Open

Fellows associated with this archive

Code	PersonName	Dates
NA6093	Taylor; Brook (1685 - 1731)	1685 - 1731

Add to My Items

Papers of Elsie Widdowson and Robert McCance

Papers of Elsie Widdowson and Robert McCance

Tweets by theRCN

Papers of Robert Boyle

Papers of Robert Boyle

Classified Papers

Classified Papers

Papers of Elsie Widdowson and Robert McCance

Papers of Elsie Widdowson and Robert McCance

Botanical paintings by Jacob van Huysum and William Sartorius

Botanical paintings by Jacob van Huysum and William Sartorius

Browse Collections