James Thomson

Irish mathematician (1786–1849)

James Thomson is remembered in mathematics for work the next generation could build on.

The record lists James Thomson as Irish mathematician (1786–1849).

James Thomson was born at Ballynahinch in 1786. His recorded nationality is United Kingdom. He studied at University of Glasgow.

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This was the age of analysis, when the calculus was pushed hard and its foundations were not yet secure.

His academic posts were held at University of Glasgow and Royal Belfast Academical Institution.

Mathematics accumulates without discarding: a proof from two thousand years ago is still a proof.

That the work was done from United Kingdom matters: mathematical training, institutions and the language of publication have never been evenly distributed.

James Thomson died in 1849, aged 63. The proofs remain, and a proof does not decay - which is the particular permanence mathematics offers.

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