SPOTTISWOODE, William. London 11.2.1825 — London 27.6.1883. British Mathematician and Physicist. Son of Andrew Sp. (1787–1866), a printer and politician, and Mary Longman, father’s family originally from Scotland. Educated at Eton and Harrow, in 1842-45 studies of mathematics at Oxford (Balliol College). Then entered his father’s printing firm and worked there the rest of his life, but kept his keen interest in mathematics and history of mathematics. Died of typhoid fever. Married 1861 Elisa (Lise) Arbuthnot, two sons.
Publications: “Note on the supposed discovery of the principle of differential calculus by an Indian astronomer”, JRAS 17, 1860, 221f. (Bhāskara); “On the Súrya Siddhánta, and the Hindú Method of Calculating Eclipses”, JRAS 20, 1863, 345-370.
– Wrote on mathematics and physics, a travel book about eastern Russia, 1857.
Sources: JRAS Proc. 1884, xv-xvii; H.R[ix], D.N.B. 53, 1898, 418; Wikipedia with photo.
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