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Hugh Blackburn
Times obituary
News of the death of Mr. Hugh Blackburn, Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at Glasgow, which occurred on Saturday at his estate at Roshven, Lochailort, was received in Glasgow yesterday.
Mr. Blackburn was born at Craigflower on July 2, 1823. He was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge. In the Mathematical Tripos of 1815, when Parkinson and Thomson (Lord Kelvin) headed the list, he was fifth Wrangler and was elected in the following year to a Fellowship of his college.
It had been his intention to go to the bar, and he studied for some time with that view; but through the influence of his friend Lord Kelvin, who had been appointed Professor of Natural Philosophy at Glasgow University, he was induced to become a candidate for the chair of mathematics upon the death of Professor James Thomson, Lord Kelvin's father. Mr. Blackburn had done some original work in mathematical science. In particular, he had invented and exhibited in his rooms in Cambridge a pendulum with a double suspension, which in subsequent years became known as the Blackburn pendulum, and by the use of which important advances were made in experimental physics. This and the high position he had taken in his tripos, coupled with the testimonials he was able to produce, proved sufficient to secure his appointment. On April 23, 1949, he entered on his duties and continued to occupy the chair until August 14, 1879. He retired chiefly on account of growing deafness and was succeeded by Professor Jack.
Professor Blackburn was the author of a valuable treatise on trigonometry, and in conjunction with Lord Kelvin, he edited and published an edition of Newton's "Principia." In addition, he took a leading part in the business of the university, and in recognition of his services, the Senate conferred upon him in 1885 the degree of LL.D.
After his resignation, he lived in almost complete seclusion on his estate of Roshven, in Moidart, attending to the management of the property and enjoying the company of his family, his friends, and his books. Attempts were frequently made to induce him to pay a visit to the scene of his former labours, but they were of no avail.
Professor Blackburn and his brother, Mr. Peter Blackburn, were married to sisters, daughters of Mr. James Wedderburn, who was Solicitor-General for Scotland in 1816. The professor's wife, named Jemima, under the signature "J. B.," attained distinction as a painter of animals and birds and as an illustrator of books. She died in August last. She also possessed a small skill in sculpture, and a bust of her husband by her is in the Hunterian Museum of Glasgow University.
News of the death of Mr. Hugh Blackburn, Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at Glasgow, which occurred on Saturday at his estate at Roshven, Lochailort, was received in Glasgow yesterday.
Mr. Blackburn was born at Craigflower on July 2, 1823. He was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge. In the Mathematical Tripos of 1815, when Parkinson and Thomson (Lord Kelvin) headed the list, he was fifth Wrangler and was elected in the following year to a Fellowship of his college.
It had been his intention to go to the bar, and he studied for some time with that view; but through the influence of his friend Lord Kelvin, who had been appointed Professor of Natural Philosophy at Glasgow University, he was induced to become a candidate for the chair of mathematics upon the death of Professor James Thomson, Lord Kelvin's father. Mr. Blackburn had done some original work in mathematical science. In particular, he had invented and exhibited in his rooms in Cambridge a pendulum with a double suspension, which in subsequent years became known as the Blackburn pendulum, and by the use of which important advances were made in experimental physics. This and the high position he had taken in his tripos, coupled with the testimonials he was able to produce, proved sufficient to secure his appointment. On April 23, 1949, he entered on his duties and continued to occupy the chair until August 14, 1879. He retired chiefly on account of growing deafness and was succeeded by Professor Jack.
Professor Blackburn was the author of a valuable treatise on trigonometry, and in conjunction with Lord Kelvin, he edited and published an edition of Newton's "Principia." In addition, he took a leading part in the business of the university, and in recognition of his services, the Senate conferred upon him in 1885 the degree of LL.D.
After his resignation, he lived in almost complete seclusion on his estate of Roshven, in Moidart, attending to the management of the property and enjoying the company of his family, his friends, and his books. Attempts were frequently made to induce him to pay a visit to the scene of his former labours, but they were of no avail.
Professor Blackburn and his brother, Mr. Peter Blackburn, were married to sisters, daughters of Mr. James Wedderburn, who was Solicitor-General for Scotland in 1816. The professor's wife, named Jemima, under the signature "J. B.," attained distinction as a painter of animals and birds and as an illustrator of books. She died in August last. She also possessed a small skill in sculpture, and a bust of her husband by her is in the Hunterian Museum of Glasgow University.
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