Person Gregory; David (1661 - 1708); mathematician and astronomer Gregory David mathematician and astronomer Gregorie 1661 - 1708 Scottish British Male Kinnairdie, Banffshire, Scotland, Europe 24 June 1661 16610624 The Greyhound Inn, Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, United Kingdom, Europe 10 October 1708 17081010 Burial: Maidenhead churchyard, Berkshire, England, United Kingdom, Europe

Mathematician Mathematics Astronomy Optics Education: Leyden (admitted 1679); Marischal College, Aberdeen; Edinburgh (MA 1683); incorporated at Oxford (from Balliol College (1692; BMed and DMed 1692) Career: Matheson Professor of Mathematics, Edinburgh (1683-1692); Savilian Professor of Astronomy, Oxford (1692-death); Mathematical Tutor to William, Duke of Gloucester (1699); one of the committee for preparing John Flamsteed's (FRS 1677) astronomical observations for the press (1704); friend of Isaac Newton (FRS 1672); died of consumption Memberships: Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh (Honorary) 1705 Parents: David Gregorie and Jean Walker Married: Elizabeth Oliphant Additional relatives: uncle James Gregory (FRS 1668); cousin John Gregory (FRS 1756) Through familial connections and his travels early in life, Gregory gained an insight into the knowledge of contemporary mathematicians and likely made the acquaintance of his uncle James Gregorie's (FRS 1668) friend John Collins (FRS 1667). He published his first mathematical work on geometry in 1684 and it was reviewed in the 'Philosophical Transactions'. He was also very impressed by Newton's (FRS 1672) 'Principia' and met him, Edmond Halley (FRS 1678), and John Flamsteed (FRS 1677) when he came to England following the revolution of 1688 and its effects in Scotland. It is thought that Newton's influence helped secure Gregory's appointment as Savilian Professor of Astronomy at Oxford. In his major work 'Astronomiae physicae et geometricae elementa' (1702), a textbook on astronomy, Gregory also integrated Newton's gravitational theories into his findings. Fellow 30/11/1692 Sir Robert Southwell Frequent correspondent on mathematical matters; Had some papers published in the 'Philosophical Transactions' Sources: Bulloch's Roll; DNB; DSB; ODNB; MacTutor History of Mathematics archive Authority: Preferred name form from DNB and DSB. References: Bell, H E. 1961. 'The Savilian Professors' Houses and Halley's Observatory at Oxford', in Notes and Records, vol. 16, pp. 179-186 Cook, A. 2003. 'The end of the affair. The correspondence of John Flamsteed, the first Astronomer Royal, vol 3 (1703-1719) by E G Forbes, L Murdin and F Willmoth', in Notes and Records, vol. 57, pp. 113-116 Hall, A R. 1982-83. 'Further Newton Correspondence', in Notes and Records, vol. 37, pp. 7-34 Kirsanov, V S. 1992. 'The Earliest Copy in Russia of Newton's Principia: Is it David Gregory's Annotated Copy?', in Notes and Records, vol. 1992, pp. 203-218 Lawrence, P D and Molland, A G. 1970. 'David Gregory's Inaugural Lecture at Oxford', in Notes and Records, vol. 25, pp. 143-178 McGuire, J E and Rattansi, P M. 1966. 'Newton and the "Pipes of Pan"', in Notes and Records, vol. 21, pp. 108-143 Schaffer, S. 1989. 'The Glorious Revolution and Medicine in Britain and the Netherlands', in Notes and Records, vol. 43, pp. 167-190 Simms, D L and Hinckley, P L. 2001. 'David Gregory on Newton's burning mirror', in Notes and Records, vol. 55, pp. 185-190 Wightman, W P D. 1954-55. 'Aberdeen University and the Royal Society', in Notes and Records, vol. 11, pp. 145-158 Zinsser, J P. 2003. 'The ultimate commentary: a consideration of I Bernhard Cohen's Guide to Newton's Principia', in Notes and Records, vol. 57, pp. 231-238 Notes: BR gives birth date as 1659 and DSB and ODNB give 3 June 1659; DNB and index to BR give preferred birth date of 24 June 1661. International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) - Ottawa 1996 ISBN 0-9696035-3-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 https://royalsocietypublishing.org/action/doSearch?ContribRaw=Gregory%2C+David RCN: 41952 RCN: 41951 RCN: 38455 RCN: 41953 RCN: 41955 https://pictures.royalsociety.org/results?mi_search_type=adv&mi_adv_search=yes&adv_person_id=AUTH3536 3 Jun 1659 or 24 Jun 1661 - 10 Oct 1708 The past Fellows entries are under continuous revision. If you have queries or additional information to contribute, please contact Library@royalsociety.org. Content in external sources is not controlled by the Royal Society and historical sources may include content that is now unacceptable. Reviewed on 29/11/2022 as part of the Name Authority Project update. NA7998 21/11/2001 Andyg Pmab 17/03/2026 RS_NET\VirginiaM Yes http://viaf.org/viaf/6014298 412d3afa-fd8d-4787-880c-0ff36d530528