George Sinclair (professor)
Encyclopedia
George Sinclair (d. 1696) was a Scottish
mathematician
, engineer
and demonologist. The first Professor of Mathematics, Glasgow
, he is known for Satan's Invisible Works Discovered, (c. 1685), a work on witchcraft
. He wrote in all three areas of his interests, including an account of the “Glenluce Devil”, a poltergeist
case from c. 1654, in a 1680 book mainly on hydrostatics and dealing also with coal
.
area. He became a professor of Glasgow University, April 18, 1654, initially in a philosophy
chair, then in a chair founded for mathematics. In 1655 he made descents in a diving bell
off the Isle of Mull
, to look at the wreck of a ship from the Spanish Armada
there.
He was deprived of his university post in 1666, as a Presbyterian. He then worked as a mineral surveyor and engineer, and was employed in particular by Sir James Hope
. He was brought in by the magistrates of Edinburgh, about 1670, to oversee piping of water from Comiston
into the city.
On 3 March, 1691, Glasgow University appointed him again to the professorship of mathematics, which had been vacant.
, attacked Sinclair in a 1672 pamphlet The New and Great Art of Weighing Vanity, under the name of Patrick Mather or Mathers, archbeadle
of the University of St Andrews
. Gregory was both a Cartesian
and an Episcopalian
, and self-consciously invoked the Hobbes-Wallis controversy in aiming at the non-conformist Sinclair. An appendix to the work, Tentamina de motu penduli et projectorum, was a more important essay on dynamics, regarded by D. T. Whiteside as a probable source of Isaac Newton
’s theory of resisted motion
. Sinclair wrote an answer to Gregory, but it remained unpublished.
In 1684 he published as his own a work Truth's Victory over Error. It was in fact an English translation by Sinclair of the Latin
inaugural dissertation
given by David Dickson
, who became Professor of Divinity, Glasgow
in 1640, on the occasion in 1650 when he moved to Edinburgh. This was pointed out in short order.
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
mathematician
Mathematician
A mathematician is a person whose primary area of study is the field of mathematics. Mathematicians are concerned with quantity, structure, space, and change....
, engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
and demonologist. The first Professor of Mathematics, Glasgow
Professor of Mathematics, Glasgow
The Chair of Mathematics in the University of Glasgow was established in 1691. Previously, under James VI's Nova Erectio, the teaching of Mathematics had been the responsibility of the Regents.- List of Mathematics Professors :...
, he is known for Satan's Invisible Works Discovered, (c. 1685), a work on witchcraft
Witchcraft
Witchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
. He wrote in all three areas of his interests, including an account of the “Glenluce Devil”, a poltergeist
Poltergeist
A poltergeist is a paranormal phenomenon which consists of events alluding to the manifestation of an imperceptible entity. Such manifestation typically includes inanimate objects moving or being thrown about, sentient noises and, on some occasions, physical attacks on those witnessing the...
case from c. 1654, in a 1680 book mainly on hydrostatics and dealing also with coal
Coal
Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock usually occurring in rock strata in layers or veins called coal beds or coal seams. The harder forms, such as anthracite coal, can be regarded as metamorphic rock because of later exposure to elevated temperature and pressure...
.
Life
He was probably from the East LothianEast Lothian
East Lothian is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, and a lieutenancy Area. It borders the City of Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Midlothian. Its administrative centre is Haddington, although its largest town is Musselburgh....
area. He became a professor of Glasgow University, April 18, 1654, initially in a philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
chair, then in a chair founded for mathematics. In 1655 he made descents in a diving bell
Diving bell
A diving bell is a rigid chamber used to transport divers to depth in the ocean. The most common types are the wet bell and the closed bell....
off the Isle of Mull
Isle of Mull
The Isle of Mull or simply Mull is the second largest island of the Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland in the council area of Argyll and Bute....
, to look at the wreck of a ship from the Spanish Armada
Spanish Armada
This article refers to the Battle of Gravelines, for the modern navy of Spain, see Spanish NavyThe Spanish Armada was the Spanish fleet that sailed against England under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia in 1588, with the intention of overthrowing Elizabeth I of England to stop English...
there.
He was deprived of his university post in 1666, as a Presbyterian. He then worked as a mineral surveyor and engineer, and was employed in particular by Sir James Hope
James Hope of Hopetoun
James Hope of Hopetoun , was a Scottish industrialist and politician.He was the owner of Keith Marischal.-References:*Dictionary of National Biography, Hope, Sir James , of Hopetoun, lawyer and lead-worker, by T. F. Henderson. Published 1891....
. He was brought in by the magistrates of Edinburgh, about 1670, to oversee piping of water from Comiston
Comiston
Comiston is a suburb of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. It is south of Morningside and west of the Braid Hills.The main road through the area, Comiston Road, is a continuation of Morningside Road, and further south becomes Biggar Road. It is classified as the A702 which indeed runs eventually...
into the city.
On 3 March, 1691, Glasgow University appointed him again to the professorship of mathematics, which had been vacant.
Controversy
James Gregory, then a professor at the University of St AndrewsUniversity of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
, attacked Sinclair in a 1672 pamphlet The New and Great Art of Weighing Vanity, under the name of Patrick Mather or Mathers, archbeadle
Beadle
Beadle, sometimes spelled "bedel," is a lay official of a church or synagogue who may usher, keep order, make reports, and assist in religious functions; or a minor official who carries out various civil, educational, or ceremonial duties....
of the University of St Andrews
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
. Gregory was both a Cartesian
Cartesianism
Cartesian means of or relating to the French philosopher and mathematician René Descartes—from his name—Rene Des-Cartes. It may refer to:*Cartesian anxiety*Cartesian circle*Cartesian dualism...
and an Episcopalian
Scottish Episcopal Church
The Scottish Episcopal Church is a Christian church in Scotland, consisting of seven dioceses. Since the 17th century, it has had an identity distinct from the presbyterian Church of Scotland....
, and self-consciously invoked the Hobbes-Wallis controversy in aiming at the non-conformist Sinclair. An appendix to the work, Tentamina de motu penduli et projectorum, was a more important essay on dynamics, regarded by D. T. Whiteside as a probable source of Isaac Newton
Isaac Newton
Sir Isaac Newton PRS was an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, natural philosopher, alchemist, and theologian, who has been "considered by many to be the greatest and most influential scientist who ever lived."...
’s theory of resisted motion
Inertia
Inertia is the resistance of any physical object to a change in its state of motion or rest, or the tendency of an object to resist any change in its motion. It is proportional to an object's mass. The principle of inertia is one of the fundamental principles of classical physics which are used to...
. Sinclair wrote an answer to Gregory, but it remained unpublished.
In 1684 he published as his own a work Truth's Victory over Error. It was in fact an English translation by Sinclair of the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
inaugural dissertation
Inaugural dissertation
An inaugural dissertation is a presentation of major work by a new professor or doctor, in writing and/or in public speech, to inaugurate their professorship or doctorship. This academic ritual is traditional in much of Europe , although it is becoming less common in some countries and institutions...
given by David Dickson
David Dickson (professor)
-Life:He was the only son of John Dick or Dickson, a merchant in the Trongate of Glasgow, whose father was an old feuar of some lands called the Kirk of Muir, in the parish of St. Ninians, Stirlingshire. He was born in Glasgow about 1583, and educated at the university, where he graduated M.A., and...
, who became Professor of Divinity, Glasgow
Professor of Divinity, Glasgow
Professor of Divinity is an academic position at the University of Glasgow.Although divinity was taught from the foundations of the university in 1451, it was in 1577, as part of James VI's Nova Erectio, that a Chair was established, to be held by the Principal of the University of Glasgow...
in 1640, on the occasion in 1650 when he moved to Edinburgh. This was pointed out in short order.