Person Gregorie; James (1638 - 1675); mathematician Gregorie James mathematician Gregory 1638 - 1675 Scottish British Male Drumoak manse, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Europe November 1638 Edinburgh, Scotland, Europe October 1675

Mathematician; astronomer Mathematics Optics Astronomy Education: Aberdeen Grammar School; Marischal College, Aberdeen; Padua (1664-1667) Career: Professor of Mathematics, St Andrews University (1668-1674); Professor of Mathematics, Edinburgh University (1674-1675); died of apoplexy Parents: Reverend John Gregorie and Janet Gregorie Married: Mary Burnet (née Jameson) Children: three overall, incl. James Gregorie Additional relatives: grandson John Gregorie (FRS 1756); nephew David Gregorie (FRS 1692) In the epilogue to his first publication, 'Optica promota' (1663), Gregorie described a telescope design based on mirrors instead of lenses - an idea further developed by Isaac Newton (FRS 1672). During his studies in Padua, he became familiar with the ideas of the Galilean school and one of his resulting works, 'Vera circuli et hyperbolae quadratura' (1667), in which Gregorie refutes the possibility of the quadrature of the circle, led to a controversy with Christiaan Huygens (FRS 1663). Fellow 11/06/1668 29 John Collins Acted as an occasional correspondent to the Society, especially to John Collins on series of expanson and binomial theorem. Published some papers in the 'Philosophical Transactions', e.g. a response to Hugyens' criticism of Gregory's book. Sources: Bulloch's Roll; DNB; DSB; Hunter; Foster; Innes Smith; ODNB References: H W Turnbull and G H Bushnell 'James Gregory 1638-1675' in Record of the Celebrations held in the University Library 5 July 1949 as part of the University of St Andrews James Gregory Tercentenary 1949 pp5-26 William P D Wightman, 'Aberdeen University and the Royal Society' in NR 1954-55 vol 11 pp 145-158 G L'E Turner, 'James Short, FRS, and his Contribution to the Construction of Reflecting Telescopes' in NR 1969 vol 24 pp 91-108 G J Whitrow, 'Newton's Role in the History of Mathematics' in NR 1989 vol 43 pp 71-92 A Rupert Hall and A D C Simpson, 'An Account of the Royal Society's Newton Telescope' in NR 1996 vol 50 pp 1-11 Notes: Name spelt 'Gregory' in DNB and Hunter; also given as an alternative in R. Both spellings given in DSB. Gregory J, IM006591.jpg ©The Royal Society 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 RCN: 41962 RCN: 41964 RCN: 41961 RCN: 41963 https://pictures.royalsociety.org/results?mi_search_type=adv&mi_adv_search=yes&adv_person_id=AUTH3535 https://pictures.royalsociety.org/image-rs-19517 Nov 1638 - Oct 1675 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 12/07/2022 as part of the Name Authority Project update. NA8395 21/11/2001 Andyg Pmab 28/03/2023 RS_NET\JonathanB Yes http://viaf.org/viaf/6014298 8ebd1b7f-eee8-48bc-8107-0bb46b80ade0