Mathematician Nicholas Saunderson was an example of overcoming challenges – 06/13/2023 – Marcelo Viana

The English theologian, historian and mathematician William Whiston (1667–1752), professor at the University of Cambridge, had unorthodox religious ideas for the time. Among others, he rejected the Catholic doctrine of the Trinity, which he considered to be of pagan origin. This proved too much for the university authorities, who, in 1710, dismissed him as Lucasian Professor and expelled him from the institution. He was replaced by an even more notable character.

As a baby, Nicholas Saunderson (1682–1739) caught smallpox, a disease that at the time was often fatal. He survived, but lost his sight forever. This did not prevent him from acquiring a good education: he learned mathematics from his father and is believed to have literate himself by reading tomb inscriptions with his fingers.

In 1707 he took up residence at Cambridge: he was not admitted as a pupil, but was allowed to use the library. Under Whiston’s protection, he was allowed to teach, teaching mathematics, astronomy, and optics, with much success among the students. At the request of some leaders, on November 19, 1711 he received the title of master, even though he did not have the degree, which made him eligible to replace Whiston. He was elected Professor Lucasiano the very next day, defeating the opposing candidate by 6 votes to 4.

A gifted and charismatic teacher, Saunderson greatly contributed to the enhancement of mathematics in the curriculum at the University of Cambridge and to the dissemination of Newton’s ideas. His book “Method of Fluxions Applied to a Selected Number of Useful Problems”, published after his death, was the first systematic exposition of the differential calculus. Although he did not usually publish his work, notes from his lectures were widely circulated. Some were collected in “The Elements of Algebra in Ten Books”, another posthumous work.

Some historians credit him with discovering Bayes’ Theorem, an important mathematical result that underlies the spectacular recent development of artificial intelligence. Although the theorem is named after the Reverend Thomas Bayes (1701–1761), we know that it was known earlier and Saunderson may actually have been the first.

In the “Letter on the Blind for the Use of Those Who Can See”, published in 1749, the French philosopher Denis Diderot (1713–1784) discusses how knowledge is achieved by both perception and reason. Saunderson appears as a character, representing someone in whom the senses are replaced by logical genius, in the quest to understand the divinity.

This timeless debate has reignited since the Lucasian chair tenure of his famous successor Stephen Hawking (1942–2018), another person with severe physical disabilities.

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