Edward Waring, the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge from 1760 to 1798, left a profound mark on number theory through his analytical approach to algebra. Born in Shrewsbury in 1736, he navigated the academic landscape of the eighteenth-century Kingdom of Great Britain to produce original theorems that challenged the prevailing reliance on geometry.
Academic Ascent
Waring entered Magdalene College, Cambridge, in 1753 as a sizar. His aptitude for mathematics became evident quickly, culminating in his status as Senior wrangler in 1757. Despite his youth and lack of a Master of Arts degree, a royal mandate facilitated his appointment to the Lucasian chair in 1760. He served as a fellow of Magdalene College from 1754 until 1760, navigating internal university opposition to secure his position among the foremost British mathematicians of his era.
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His primary research appeared in works including Miscellanea analytica, Meditationes Algebraicae, and Proprietates Algebraicarum Curvarum. These texts introduced what is now recognized as Waring's problem, which posits that every positive integer can be expressed as a sum of a fixed number of cubes or biquadrates. He also explored series convergence, root approximation, and interpolation, often applying rigorous methods that reflected his deep engagement with the work of continental peers.
Scientific Recognition and Practice
Waring was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1763 and received the Copley Medal in 1784. Beyond mathematics, he obtained an MD in 1767. His medical career, however, remained secondary to his scientific pursuits. He performed dissections and practiced as a physician at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge and in St Ives, though his professional efficacy in this field was hampered by his severe short-sightedness and shy temperament.
Final Years
Waring maintained memberships in international institutions, including the Göttingen Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Lower Saxony. In his later years, he transitioned from academic life in Cambridge to his estate in Plealey, where he held 215 acres. He died in 1798 and was buried at the Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, leaving behind a body of work that challenged existing methodologies.
Fast facts
- Born: 1736, Shrewsbury
- Died: 1798, Plealey
- Lucasian Professor of Mathematics: 1760-1798
- Fellow of the Royal Society: 1763
- Copley Medal: 1784
- Key works: Miscellanea analytica, Meditationes Algebraicae
- Education: Magdalene College, University of Cambridge
Questions readers ask
What is Waring's problem?
It is a mathematical hypothesis asserting that every positive integer can be represented as a sum of a fixed number of powers, such as cubes or fourth powers.
Did Waring have a career outside of mathematics?
Yes, he earned an MD in 1767 and worked as a physician at Addenbrooke's Hospital, though he was known for being shy and short-sighted.
Achievements
- Fellow of the Royal Society — 1763
- Copley Medal — 1784
- Notable work: Miscellanea analytica
- Notable work: Waring's problem
- Notable work: Waring's prime number conjecture
- Held posts at University of Cambridge and Magdalene College
- Fields: number theory, mathematics and number
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