Relhan Collection : 64 Boxworth church. Ledger stone of Nicholas Saunderson, d. 1739, in chancel of church

Relhan, Richard, 1782-1844

Relhan Collection

<p style='text-align: justify;'><p>The inscription reads ‘<i>Here lies the body of Nicholas Saunderson Doctor of Laws and Professor of Mathematics in the University of Cambridge & Fellow of the Royal Society. He died April the 19</i>th<i> 1739 in the 57th year of his age’</i>. The son of a Yorkshire excise man, Saunderson went blind aged 1 due to smallpox but received an excellent education at a local school, then moved to Cambridge to live at Christ’s College. He was made Lucasian Professor of Mathematics (Queen Anne gave him an honorary MA), gained a high reputation as a lecturer, and conversed with Isaac Newton, Halley and other mathematicians of the time. His <i>Elements of Algebra </i>was published after his death. He married Abigail, daughter of William Dickons, rector of Boxworth and had 2 children. Cole used to see him on horseback riding in the hills, and described him as the ‘<i>miracle of his age for his knowledge in Mathematics’</i>. There is a bust to him in the garden of Christ’s College.</p><p>Palmer 1932; Palmer 1935; ODNB</p></p>