Robert Patterson: American ‘revolutionary’ mathematician

Abstract

You will not see Robert Patterson’s name mentioned in many mathematics books. While his mathematical works survive, his name is more likely to appear in American history books dealing with the Colonial period, given his associations with the most influential men of that time. In this article, we will examine his mathematical work, as well as his contributions to a newly-formed nation. Most of what we know about Robert Patterson’s ancestors and life is due to his grandson, William Ewing DuBois, who wrote a family history in 1847. For other information, I have drawn upon diaries and a great many letters. All spelling and syntax are copied exactly as they appear.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

¹ This citation is taken from an anonymous obituary of Patterson. Dubois writes that William Tilghman, Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, penned the obituary, so I will defer to Dubois.

² The prize to which Ellicott refers is now known as the Magellenic Premium, named after benefactor John Hyacinth de Magellen, who established the gift of 200 guineas in 1786. The recipient is awarded a gold medal.