| RefNo | MS/81/18 |
| Previous numbers | MS 81.15 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Draft letter, from [John Collins] to [Isaac] Newton |
| Date | 30 July 1672 |
| Description | Partial draft letter; heavily corrected and annotated in John Collins' hand.
Discusses the possibility to print Newton's annotated edition of [Gerard] Kinckhuysen's Algebra, Collins encouraging Newton to write an introduction for it and add his own findings on algebra. Mentions that [James] Gregory who is also working on calculus is waiting for Newton to publish to print anything.
Mentions Scottish mathematician [George] Sinclair, describing him as "a pitiful ignorant fellow who hath lately written horrid nonsence on the Hydrostaticks" and his criticism of [William] Sanders [note: in fact Gregory and Sanders had recently published a satire of Sinclair "The Great and New Art of Weighing vanity", 1672, Sanders' answer was never printed], Collins writing "we resolve to make excellent sport with him".
Asks Newton's opinion of Borrellius' De Motionibus.
Endorsed in a different hand 'No. 25: p.104' on first page and with recipient on last page to denote that some passages within the letter are included in 'Commercium Epistolicum' 1722 edition, page 104, paragraph XXV.
Numbered 10; 15 at the end. |
| Extent | 3pp. |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| AccessStatus | Open |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA2898 | Collins; John (1625 - 1683); mathematician and scientific administrator | 1625 - 1683 |
| NA8414 | Newton; Sir; Isaac (1642 - 1727); natural philosopher and mathematician | 1642 - 1727 |