Person Fatio de Duillier; Nicolas (1664 - 1753); mathematician and natural philosopher Fatio de Duillier Nicolas mathematician and natural philosopher Nicolas Fatio de Nicolas Fatio Faccio de Duillier, Nicolas Faccio, Nicolas Duillier De Dullier 1664 - 1753 Swiss Male Basel, Switzerland, Europe 16 February 1664 16640216 Maddersfield, Worcester, England, United Kingdom, Europe c. May 1753 1753

Duillier, Vaud, Switzerland

Virtuoso Mathematics Astronomy Anatomy Education: Geneva Academy (now University of Geneva) Career: Enrolled a citizen of Geneva (1678); originally intended to enter the Protestant ministry but later left to his own devices; corresponded with Gian Domenico Cassini (FRS 1672); went to Paris (1682); was informed of a plot to kidnap the Prince of Orange, which he revealed to Gilbert Burnet (FRS 1664) and they both went to Holland to tell the Prince; offered a chair of mathematics by the Prince of Orange in The Hague, but instead went to England; Tutor to the eldest son of Sir William Ellis, with whom he went to Utrecht (1690); returned to London (1691) where he taught mathematics; in Switzerland (1699-1701); involved himself in the dispute over calculus between Isaac Newton (FRS 1672) and Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz (FRS 1673); associated himself with the Camisards and was prosecuted for spreading 'wicked and counterfeit prophecies' (1707); went on an expedition to convert people to his religion, travelling through Germany and into Asia before returning to England; retired to Worcester Parents: Jean-Baptiste Faccio and Catherine Barbauld Siblings: Jean Christophe Fatio (FRS 1706) Fatio initiated correspondence with Jean Dominique Cassini on astronomy, in particular the rings of Saturn and the sun and the moon. His alterations to Cassini's ideas were later published. Throughout the course of his travels, Fatio made the acquaintance of Robert Boyle (FRS 1663), John Wallis (FRS 1663), and Christiaan Huygens (FRS 1663), and he was engaged in extensive scientific correspondence. Along with his brother, Jean-Christophe Fatio (FRS 1706), he undertook trigonometrial measurements of Mont Blanc. He was also interested in watch design with jewels, perpetual motion, and horticulture, to name a few. He was considered Newton's protégé of sorts and his view of Leibniz as having plagiarised Newton's work led to the infamous Newton-Leibniz controversy around calculus. Fellow 02/05/1688 24 Sir John Hoskins Had a letter on least resistance published in the 'Philosophical Transactions' (1713), which was related to his controversy with Jakob Bernoulli Sources: Bulloch's Roll; DNB; Hunter; ODNB; HLS (Historical Dictionary of Switzerland) References: Keynes, M. 1995. 'The Personality of Isaac Newton', in Notes and Records, vol. 49, pp. 1-56 Kidwell, P. 1983. 'Nicholas Fatio de Duillier and "Fruit-Walls Improved": Natural Philosophy, Solar Radiation, and Gardening in Late Seventeenth Century England', in Agricultural History, vol. 57(4), pp.403-415 McGuire, J E and Rattansi, P M. 1966. 'Newton and the "Pipes of Pan"', in Notes and Records, vol. 21, pp. 108-143 Notes: Election date is taken from Hunter. In both R and index to BR, no precise election date is given, simply '? 1687'. HLS has 10 May 1753 as date of death. ODNB has 28 April as date of burial. 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=Fatio+de+Duillier%2C+Nicolas RCN: 38885 https://pictures.royalsociety.org/results?mi_search_type=adv&mi_adv_search=yes&adv_person_id=AUTH2840 16 Feb 1664 - 28 Apr or 12 May 1753 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 14/11/2022 as part of the Name Authority Project update. NA8422 21/11/2001 Andyg Pmab 28/03/2023 RS_NET\JonathanB Yes http://viaf.org/viaf/52480802 bed51846-f3c7-4ce5-b9ef-79572621d0a1