Record

Authorised form of namePlayfair; John (1748 - 1819)
Dates1748 - 1819
NationalityBritish
Place of birthBenvie, near Dundee, Angus, Scotland
Date of birth10 March 1748
Place of deathEdinburgh
Date of death20 July 1819
OccupationClergyman
Research fieldMathematics
Physics
Geology
ActivityEducation:
St Andrew's University. MA (1765)
Career:
Licensed as a minister (1770); minister, parish of Liff (1773-1782); Joint Professor of Mathematics,Edinburgh University (1785-1805); Professor of Natural Philosophy, Edinburgh University (1805)
Membership categoryFellow
Date of election05/02/1807
RelationshipsEldest son of Rev John Playfair
SourceSources:
Bulloch's Roll; DNB; DSB
References:
J B Morrell, 'Professors Robison and Playfair, and the Theophobia Gallica: Natural Philosophy, Religion and Politics in Edinburgh, 1789-1815' in NR 1971 vol 26 pp 43-63
Virtual International Authority File15552516
CodeNA8269
Archives associated with this Fellow
RefNoTitleDate
IM/003600Playfair, Johnnd
MS/251/6Obituary of John Playfair, by William Buckland [?]31 July 1819
MS/251/5Letter from John Playfair, Edinburgh, to William Buckland, Professor of Mineralogy, Oxford9 July 1819
EC/1806/14Playfair, John: certificate of election to the Royal Society
PT/5/18/2Plate, 'Longitudinal section of Schehallien through the two cairns N and K' by unknown artist[1811]
PT/5/18/3Plate, 'Section of Schehallien in the plane of the meridian of O the south Observatory' by unknown artist[1811]
PT/5/18/5Plate, draft of figure 3 showing diagram of distribution of quartz and micaceous schist by unknown artist[1811]
PT/5/18/4Plate, figure 3 showing diagram of distribution of quartz and micaceous schist by unknown artist[1811]
PT/5/18/1Manuscript, 'Account of a lithological survey of Schehallien, made in order to determine the specific gravity of the rocks which compose that mountain' by John Playfair[1811]
PT/5/18Paper, 'Account of a lithological survey of Schehallien, made in order to determine the specific gravity of the rocks which compose that mountain' by John Playfair[1811]
L&P/7/20Paper, 'On the artithmetic of impossible quantities' by John Playfair1778
Add to My Items

    Collection highlights

    Browse the records of some of our collections, which cover all branches of science and date from the 12th century onwards. These include the published works of Fellows of the Royal Society, personal papers of eminent scientists, letters and manuscripts sent to the Society or presented at meetings, and administrative records documenting the Society's activities since our foundation in 1660.

    The Royal Society

    The Royal Society is a Fellowship of many of
    the world's most eminent scientists and is the
    oldest scientific academy in continuous existence.
    Registered charity number 207043

    Website design ©CalmView



    CONTACT US

    + 44 207 451 2500
    (Lines open Mon-Fri, 9:00-17:00. Excludes bank holidays)

    6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG

    Email Us →

    SUBSCRIBE

    Subscribe to our newsletters to be updated with the
    latest news on innovation, events, articles and reports.

    Subscribe →

    © CalmView