William Wallace

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Born: 23 Sept 1768 in Dysart, Scotland
Died: 28 April 1843 in Edinburgh, Scotland

William Wallace was self-taught in mathematics earning his living working for a bookbinder and tutoring mathematics. He became a mathematics teacher at Perth Academy in 1794. Playfair advised him to apply for the post of professor at the Royal Military College at Great Marlow where he was a colleague of Ivory. Then, in 1819, he was appointed professor of mathematics at Edinburgh University.

Wallace's work was on geometry and Simson's line (which is definitely not due to Simson!) appears first in a paper of Wallace in 1799. One of Wallace's theorems,

if 4 lines intersect each other to form 4 triangles (omit one line in turn) then the circumcircles of the triangles have a point in common,

was generalised to 2n lines by Clifford.

He published two books, A New Book of Interest containing Aliquot Tables (aliquot = fractional) and Geometrical Theorems and Analytical Formulae.

Wallace also invented the pantograph, an instrument for duplicating a geometric shape at a reduced or enlarged scale. In addition to mathematical articles, he wrote articles on astronomy which he published in the Transactions of the Royal Astronomical Society.

In [4] it is said that:-

He took an active interest in the erection of the Observatory on the Carlton Hill and the monument to Napier. As a Professor, Wallace was regarded as an able teacher, he was popular alike with pupils and colleagues. In recognition of his services to learning and to the University, he was made an honorary Doctor of Laws.

Wallace retired from his chair at Edinburgh in 1838 due to ill health.