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| Hamilton, William Rowan. B.A. 1833, incorp. from Dublin; LL.D. 1845, incorp. from Dublin; Hon. LL.D. 1861. S. of Archibald, solicitor, of Dublin, and Sarah Hutton. B. there 1805. Read Hebrew at seven, and at twelve had studied Latin, Greek, four Continental languages, Syriac, Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit, Hindustani and Malay, with a view to entering the East India Company, but turned to mathematics, where he showed almost equal precocity. Adm. pens. (age 17) at Trinity College, Dublin, July 7, 1823; B.A. (Dublin) 1827; M.A. (Dublin) 1837; LL.D. (Dublin) 1839. Discovered 'conical refraction,' 1824. While still an undergraduate, appointed Andrews professor of astronomy and superintendent of Dublin Observatory, 1827, and later in the same year Astronomer Royal for Ireland, holding these posts until his death. Discovered the science of quaternions, 1843. Gold medallist of Royal Society for optical discovery and for theory of general method of dynamics. 'Hamilton Rowan, one of the greatest names of our day in mathematical science, never could attach F.R.S. to his name: he could not afford it' (Dr Morgan, Budget of Paradoxes, 22). Knighted, 1835. President of Irish Academy, 1837. Married and had issue. Author, Lectures on Quaternions; Elements of Quaternions, published anonymously and edited by his son, William Edwin, C.E. Died Sept. 2, 1865, at the Dublin Observatory. (D.N.B.; Boase, I. 1307; Al. Dubl.) | William Rowan HAMILTON Approx. lifespan: 1805–1865 BA incorp. from Trinity College, Dublin 1833 LLD incorp. from Trinity College, Dublin 1845 Hon.LLD 1861 s. of Archibald HAMILTON Solicitor: Dublin, [Ireland], s. of Sarah Hutton HAMILTON b. Dublin, [Ireland], 1805 Read Hebrew at seven, and at twelve had studied Latin, Greek, four Continental languages, Syriac, Persian, Arabic, Sanskrit, Hindustani and Malay, with a view to entering East India Company turned to mathematics, where he showed almost equal precocity pens. aged 17 Trinity College, Dublin adm1823:07:07 BA Dublin 1827 MA Dublin 1837 LLD Dublin 1839 Discovered "conical refraction": 1824 Andrews Professor of astronomy: appointed while still an undergraduate 1827 until death1865 Superintendent: appointed while still an undergraduate Dublin Observatory [Dublin], [Ireland], 1827 until death1865 Astronomer Royal: for Ireland , 1827 until death1865 Discovered the science of quaternions: 1843 Gold Medallist of Royal Society for optical discovery and for theory of general method of dynamics "Hamilton Rowan, one of the greatest names of our day in mathematical science, never could attach to his name: he could not afford it " (Dr Morgan, Budget of Paradoxes, 22)" /> [add:] Dr – MORGAN [:add] Knighted 1835 President of Irish Academy 1837 m. had issue Publ.: Lectures on Quaternions ; Elements of Quaternions, published anonymously and edited by his son, William Edwin, C.E. father of William EDWIN HAMILTON, C.E. d. Dublin Observatory [Ireland], 1865:09:02 ( D.N.B. ; Boase, I. 1307; Al. Dubl ) |