Archives Hub records to be added later Chemistry Papers of William Cullen William Cullen (1710-1790) was Professor of Chemistry at Edinburgh University from 1755 to 1766. He subsequently moved to a medical chair and is known for his research into the role of the nervous system in disease. The papers include correspondence and notes taken from his lectures on both Chemistry and Medicine. Papers and Notes of Professor Thomas Charles Hope Thomas Charles Hope (1766-1844) was Professor of Chemistry at Edinburgh University from 1795 to 1843. He is known for discovering the element strontium and for establishing that water attains its maximum density at 4°C (39°F). The papers consist of notes taken from Hope's lectures as well as notes that Hope himself took as a student from lectures by Joseph Black, William Cullen, and others. GeoSciences Papers of Professor Edward Forbes Edward Forbes (1815-1854) succeeded Robert Jameson as Professor of Natural History at Edinburgh University in 1854 but died within a few months of his appointment. His scientific work was wide-ranging, embracing the fields of marine biology, botany, and geology. The papers include a travel journal and correspondence with fellow naturalists. Papers and Medals of Professor Arthur Holmes Arthur Holmes (1890-1965) was Professor of Geology at Edinburgh University from 1943 to 1956. He pioneered the use of radiometric dating of minerals and was a leading proponent of the theory of continental drift. The papers include a commonplace book, medals, offprints, and notes taken from his lectures. Lectures of Professor Thomas John Jehu Thomas John Jehu (1871-1943) was Professor of Geology at Edinburgh University from 1914 to 1943. He donated a major collection of fossils to the university, largely from the Aberfoyle area. The lecture notes were taken down by a student in 1916-1917. Mathematics Lectures and Papers of Professor George Chrystal George Chrystal (1851-1911) was Professor of Mathematics at Edinburgh University from 1879 to 1911. He is remembered for preparing a standard textbook on algebra and for his work on wave patterns known as seiches. The collection includes notes taken down from his lectures in the years 1885-1886 and 1894-1895 Papers of Colin Maclaurin Colin Maclaurin (1698-1746) was Professor of Mathematics at Edinburgh University from 1725 to 1746. He is celebrated for extending Newton's work in the fields of calculus, geometry, and gravitation. The collection consists of mathematical papers and dissertations, manuscripts of Maclaurin's published works, and correspondence with fellow mathematicians. Physics and Astronomy Papers of James Ferguson James Ferguson (1710-1770) was a self-educated astronomer, inventor, and instrument maker, who found fame as an itinerant lecturer on astronomy and experimental science. The papers include astronomical tables, the design of an astronomical clock, and a manuscript of his work 'Astronomy Explained upon Sir Isaac Newton's Principles'. Correspondence of Professor Charles Piazzi Smyth Charles Piazzi Smyth (1819-1900) combined the posts of Astronomer Royal for Scotland and Professor of Practical Astronomy at Edinburgh University from 1846 to 1888. Responsible for many innovations in astronomy, Piazzi Smyth is perhaps better known now for his pyramidological studies. The collection consists of professional and scientific correspondence. Physics Papers of Professor Max Born Max Born held the Tait Chair of Natural Philosophy at Edinburgh University from 1936 to 1952. Born was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1954 for his pioneering research in quantum mechanics, particularly in the statistical interpretation of the wave function. These materials include the original German-language MS of Born's popular science book 'The Restless Universe'. Letters of Sir David Brewster David Brewster (1781-1868) was Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Edinburgh University from 1859 to 1868. A specialist in the science of optics, Brewster made significant discoveries concerning the polarisation of light and absorption spectra, and invented the kaleidoscope. The collection includes a wide range of scientific and personal correspondence. Correspondence and Lectures of Professor John Playfair John Playfair (1748-1819) was Professor of Natural Philosophy at Edinburgh University from 1805 to 1819, having previously occupied the Chair of Mathematics from 1785 to 1805. Playfair's scientific work ranged widely over physics, mathematics, and geology. He is best known for a standard textbook on geometry and for his work popularizing the uniformitarian theories of James Hutton. The papers include notes taken down from his lectures in 1806-1807, 1808-1809, and 1811. Papers of Peter Guthrie Tait Peter Guthrie Tait (1831-1901) was Professor of Natural Philosophy at Edinburgh University from 1860 to 1901. Tait was a mathematical physicist, known for his investigations into knot theory and graph theory. The papers include lecture notes taken down by students, MS notes by Tait on the Tay Rail Bridge disaster, and correspondence with other prominent scientists. This article was published on 2024-08-21
