Alexander G. Burgess

Dr Alexander G. Burgess FRSE FEIS (1873 – 29 March 1932) was a Scottish mathematician. He served as President of the Edinburgh Mathematical Society. He is noted for his work on Tripolar Co-ordinates.

Life

He was born in Wishaw, Lanarkshire in southern Scotland in 1873.

He attended Wishaw Academy and then George Watson’s College in Edinburgh. In 1890 he won a bursary allowing him to study Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at Edinburgh University receiving an MA degree in 1894. Here he studied under Prof George Chrystal.[1]

He became a teacher at Merchiston Castle School. From there he moved to Rothesay Academy and Edinburgh Ladies College before returning to Rothesay as Rector of Rothesay Academy and the Thomson Institute in 1917.[2][3]

In 1900 he became a member of the Edinburgh Mathematical Society, presenting at least 13 papers to the body over his membership. He served as its Secretary 1908–11, Vice-President 1911–12 and President 1912–13. During this period he organised the first Mathematical Colloquium in the city. In 1902 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Edinburgh University granted him an honorary Doctorate (DSc) in 1924, specifically for his thesis on Tripolar Co-ordinates.[4]

He died on 29 March 1932.

References

  1. ↑ Peter Comrie. "Alexander G. Burgess" (PDF). Journals.cambridge.org. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
  2. ↑ "Former Fellows of the Royal Society of edinburgh : 1783–2002" (PDF). Royalsoced.org.uk. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
  3. ↑ "Bute County Directory for 1919, Page 55 | Document Viewer". Mocavo.com. 2014-08-02. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
  4. ↑ "EMS obituary". History.mcs.st-and.ac.uk. Retrieved 2015-06-18.
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