Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1658-1860 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
2 bound albums
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
David Gregory of Kinnairdie (1627-1720), inventor, apprenticed by his father to a mercantile house in Holland. Returned in 1655, and succeeded to the estate of Kinnairdie on the death of an older brother. Highly regarded in medicine, having a large gratuitous practice both among the poor, and people of standing. First man in Aberdeenshire to possess a barometer, and his weather forecasts exposed him to suspicions of witchcraft. Moved to Aberdeen and investigated artillery. With help of an Aberdeen watchmaker constructed an improved model of a cannon, forwarding it to his eldest son David , and to Newton, who held it was 'for the diabolical purpose of increasing carnage', and who urged him to break it up.
David Gregorie (1661-1708, FRS 1692), astronomer, son of David Gregory (1627-1720). Professor of Mathematics at Edinburgh University in 1683, first professor to lecture publicly on Newtonian philosophy, enthusiastic promoter of Newton's 'Principia'. In 1691 went to Oxford where introduced to Newton, who became an intimate friend and who with Flamsteed influenced his appointment as Savilian Professor of Astronomy in Oxford. His principal work 'Astronomiae Physicae et Geometricae Elementa' in 1702 was the first text book composed on gravitational principles and remodelling astronomy in conformity with physical theory. Approved by Newton, who had included in it his lunar theory, and for which he wrote a preface. Gregory was a skilful mathematician who left manuscript treatises on fluxions, trigonometry, mechanics and hydrostatics, and who was also known for his printing in 1703 of all the writings attributed, with any show of authority, to Euclid.
James Gregory (1638-1675, FRS 1668) mathematician and elder brother of David Gregory (1627-1708) His scientific talent was discovered and encouraged by his brother, and in 1673 at age 24 he published his 'Optica Promota' containing the first feasible description of a reflecting telescope, his invention of it dating from 1661, and inspiring Newton to make his own reflecting telescope. Studied mathematics in Padua 1664-1667, publishing 'Vera Circuli et Hyperbolae Quadratura' in 1667, showing how to find the areas of the circle, elipse, and hyoerbole by means of converging series, and applying the same new method to calculation of logarithms. Friendly debate with Newton 1672-1673 as to merits of their respective telescopes. From 1674 first exclusively mathematical professor at Edinburgh.
Repository
Archival history
GB 0117 MS/210 1658-1860 Sub-fonds 2 bound albums Gregory , David , 1627-1720 , inventor
Gregory , David , 1661-1708 , astronomer x Gregorie , David
Gregory , James , 1638-1675 , mathematician x Gregorie , James
Gregory , family , scientists x Gregorie , family
David Gregory of Kinnairdie (1627-1720), inventor, apprenticed by his father to a mercantile house in Holland. Returned in 1655, and succeeded to the estate of Kinnairdie on the death of an older brother. Highly regarded in medicine, having a large gratuitous practice both among the poor, and people of standing. First man in Aberdeenshire to possess a barometer, and his weather forecasts exposed him to suspicions of witchcraft. Moved to Aberdeen and investigated artillery. With help of an Aberdeen watchmaker constructed an improved model of a cannon, forwarding it to his eldest son David , and to Newton, who held it was 'for the diabolical purpose of increasing carnage', and who urged him to break it up.
David Gregorie (1661-1708, FRS 1692), astronomer, son of David Gregory (1627-1720). Professor of Mathematics at Edinburgh University in 1683, first professor to lecture publicly on Newtonian philosophy, enthusiastic promoter of Newton's 'Principia'. In 1691 went to Oxford where introduced to Newton, who became an intimate friend and who with Flamsteed influenced his appointment as Savilian Professor of Astronomy in Oxford. His principal work 'Astronomiae Physicae et Geometricae Elementa' in 1702 was the first text book composed on gravitational principles and remodelling astronomy in conformity with physical theory. Approved by Newton, who had included in it his lunar theory, and for which he wrote a preface. Gregory was a skilful mathematician who left manuscript treatises on fluxions, trigonometry, mechanics and hydrostatics, and who was also known for his printing in 1703 of all the writings attributed, with any show of authority, to Euclid.
James Gregory (1638-1675, FRS 1668) mathematician and elder brother of David Gregory (1627-1708) His scientific talent was discovered and encouraged by his brother, and in 1673 at age 24 he published his 'Optica Promota' containing the first feasible description of a reflecting telescope, his invention of it dating from 1661, and inspiring Newton to make his own reflecting telescope. Studied mathematics in Padua 1664-1667, publishing 'Vera Circuli et Hyperbolae Quadratura' in 1667, showing how to find the areas of the circle, elipse, and hyoerbole by means of converging series, and applying the same new method to calculation of logarithms. Friendly debate with Newton 1672-1673 as to merits of their respective telescopes. From 1674 first exclusively mathematical professor at Edinburgh.
Papers of the Gregory family, volume one includes writings by Sir Isaac Newton, friend of David Gregorie, Savilian Professor of Astronomy at Oxford, the volume is entitled 'Notae in Newtonii Principia Mathematica Philosophiae Naturalis' and his 'Theory of the Moon' which was incorporated in the 'Astronomia Physica' published by the Savilian Professor of Astronomy at Oxford; volume two is a volume of letters and papers of the Gregory family, including some papers of Sir Isaac Newton; David Gregorie of Kinnairdie; James Gregorie author of 'Optica Promota'; David Gregorie, Savilian Professor of Geometry at Oxford; James Gregorie Professor of Mathematics at Edinburgh; and Charles Gregory, Professor of Mathematics at Edinburgh University.
Volume One contains papers of Newton; Volume Two contains the papers of the Gregory family members.
Open
No publication without written permission. Apply to Archivist in the first instance.
English and Latin
Volume Two contains a table of contents, and all the items are catalogued in the Archive card catalogue.
Special Collections, Edinburgh University Library, miscellaneous correspondence and papers, 1683-1708; St Andrews University Library, treatise and lecture notes; Christ Church Archives, Oxford University, notes and tables; University of Toronto Library, papers (copies); Department of Manuscripts and University Archives, Cambridge University Library, letters to Sir Isaac Newton 1684-1702; Manuscript Collections, British Library, letters mainly to Sir Hans Sloane, 1695-1704.
Copied from the Royal Society catalogue by Sarah Drewery.
General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal Place and Corporate Names 1997.
Feb 2009. Newton , Sir , Isaac , 1642-1727 , Knight , physicist and mathematician Gregory , James , 1638-1675 , mathematician x Gregorie , James Mathematics Astronomy Gregory , David , 1661-1708 , astronomer x Gregorie , David Gregory , David , 1627-1720 , inventor Gregory , family , scientists x Gregorie , family
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Papers of the Gregory family, volume one includes writings by Sir Isaac Newton, friend of David Gregorie, Savilian Professor of Astronomy at Oxford, the volume is entitled 'Notae in Newtonii Principia Mathematica Philosophiae Naturalis' and his 'Theory of the Moon' which was incorporated in the 'Astronomia Physica' published by the Savilian Professor of Astronomy at Oxford; volume two is a volume of letters and papers of the Gregory family, including some papers of Sir Isaac Newton; David Gregorie of Kinnairdie; James Gregorie author of 'Optica Promota'; David Gregorie, Savilian Professor of Geometry at Oxford; James Gregorie Professor of Mathematics at Edinburgh; and Charles Gregory, Professor of Mathematics at Edinburgh University.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Volume One contains papers of Newton; Volume Two contains the papers of the Gregory family members.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Open
Conditions governing reproduction
No publication without written permission. Apply to Archivist in the first instance.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English and Latin
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Volume Two contains a table of contents, and all the items are catalogued in the Archive card catalogue.
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Special Collections, Edinburgh University Library, miscellaneous correspondence and papers, 1683-1708; St Andrews University Library, treatise and lecture notes; Christ Church Archives, Oxford University, notes and tables; University of Toronto Library, papers (copies); Department of Manuscripts and University Archives, Cambridge University Library, letters to Sir Isaac Newton 1684-1702; Manuscript Collections, British Library, letters mainly to Sir Hans Sloane, 1695-1704.
Publication note
Notes area
Note
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal Place and Corporate Names 1997.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English