Colin Maclaurin (1698–1746) and his contemporaries on wind and water: the local and the universal

Abstract

This paper explores the issue of geographical and social place in the community of mathematicians in the generation following Isaac Newton (1642–1727). It is informed by the approach of historical geographers to work in the field, and those studying the communication of mathematics in a broad sense. It considers Colin Maclaurin's circumstances in what he regarded as a remote location, arguing that he was not disadvantaged with respect to other Newtonian mathematicians and the rational mechanics of the period. Like his contemporaries, he communicated throughout Europe by means of the republic of letters, and also like them he had access to a particular local environment. Using the subject of water and wind power, a number of questions are posed regarding the efficacy of fluxions, the relative attention given to experiment and mathematical deduction, and changes in these emphases over time and place. While definite answers require further work, it has been possible, using a brief comparison with a few contemporaries, to reach the conclusion that different localities and social situations provided different opportunities, but that those of Maclaurin in Scotland were not impediments to the development of his mathematics or its applications.

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Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Notes

1 For example Science Museum, inventory number 1981-993.

2 Science Museum, inventory numbers 1927-1630 and -1655.