John Wallis
Kelly Husted
History of Math
Mathematician Paper
John Wallis
1616 – 1703
John Wallis was born November 23, 1616 and lived till the old age of 87 until October 28, 1703 where he passed away in Oxford. He was born of Reverend John Wallis and Joanna Chapman in Ashford, Kent, England (O'Connor & Robertson, 2002). He was the third of five children in his English family, unfortunately losing his father at the very young age of 6. Wallis is known for introducing series systematically in his work and paving the way for his great contemporary, Isaac Newton (Eves, 1990, p.392-393). Wallis is most famous for his book, Arithmetica Infinitorum, development of infinitesimal calculus, and introducing the symbol for infinity. John Wallis “was one of the most ablest and most original mathematicians of his day,” (Eves, 1990, p.392). He was “probably the second most important English mathematician during the 17th century,” (Westfall, 1995). John Wallis made many contributions to the mathematical world as well as lived a very fulfilling life. The first time Wallis showed any sign of becoming a great scholar was in 1625, when his mother switched him to James Movat’s grammar school in Tenterden, Kent. “In 1630, still only 13 years of age, he considered himself ready for university” (O'Connor & Robertson, 2002). From 1631 to 1632 Wallis was enrolled in Martin Holbeach’s school in Felsted, Essex. It was here that Wallis truly became fluent in Latin, Greek and Hebrew. He studied logic as well and unfortunately, learned very little arithmetic in school. During this time period, math was not seen as a necessity in the schools but only for use of tradesmen and the like. Wallis’ first experience with really learning any math and arithmetic was during his Christmas of 1631 when Wallis’ older brother taught him some of the rules of arithmetic (O'Connor & Robertson, 2002). In 1632, John Wallis went to the University of Cambridge, studying topics such as: ethics,
History of Math
Mathematician Paper
John Wallis
1616 – 1703
John Wallis was born November 23, 1616 and lived till the old age of 87 until October 28, 1703 where he passed away in Oxford. He was born of Reverend John Wallis and Joanna Chapman in Ashford, Kent, England (O'Connor & Robertson, 2002). He was the third of five children in his English family, unfortunately losing his father at the very young age of 6. Wallis is known for introducing series systematically in his work and paving the way for his great contemporary, Isaac Newton (Eves, 1990, p.392-393). Wallis is most famous for his book, Arithmetica Infinitorum, development of infinitesimal calculus, and introducing the symbol for infinity. John Wallis “was one of the most ablest and most original mathematicians of his day,” (Eves, 1990, p.392). He was “probably the second most important English mathematician during the 17th century,” (Westfall, 1995). John Wallis made many contributions to the mathematical world as well as lived a very fulfilling life. The first time Wallis showed any sign of becoming a great scholar was in 1625, when his mother switched him to James Movat’s grammar school in Tenterden, Kent. “In 1630, still only 13 years of age, he considered himself ready for university” (O'Connor & Robertson, 2002). From 1631 to 1632 Wallis was enrolled in Martin Holbeach’s school in Felsted, Essex. It was here that Wallis truly became fluent in Latin, Greek and Hebrew. He studied logic as well and unfortunately, learned very little arithmetic in school. During this time period, math was not seen as a necessity in the schools but only for use of tradesmen and the like. Wallis’ first experience with really learning any math and arithmetic was during his Christmas of 1631 when Wallis’ older brother taught him some of the rules of arithmetic (O'Connor & Robertson, 2002). In 1632, John Wallis went to the University of Cambridge, studying topics such as: ethics,
Bibliography: Eves, H. (1990). An introduction to the history of mathematics. Philadelphia: Saunders College Pub. John Wallis. (2011) In Encyclopaedia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/634927/John-Wallis O 'Connor, J. J., & Robertson, E. F. (2002, February). John wallis. Retrieved from http://www.history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Wallis.html Osler, T. J. (2010). Lord brouncker 's forgotten sequence of continued fractions for pi. Scott, J. F. (1981). The mathematical work of john wallis. (second ed.). New York: Chelsea Publishing Company