Lot 43

Stewart, Matthew
Some General Theorems of Considerable Use in the Higher Parts of Mathematics


The Library of James Stirling, Mathematician
Auction: 23 October 2025 from 13:00 GMT
Description
Edinburgh: printed by W. Sands, A. Murray, and J. Cochran, sold by W. Sands and by J. Knapton, 1746. First edition, 8vo in half-sheets (20 x 12.4cm), [4] 163 pp., contemporary mottled calf, spine gilt in compartments with star and flower tools, red morocco label, twin fillet frames gilt to covers, 4 engraved folding plates, spine and extremities very slightly rubbed, short crack to head of front joint [ESTC T114965]
Footnote
A rare and important work by the father of Dugald Stewart, a handful of copies traced in auction records. Matthew Stewart owed his interest in Greek geometry to Robert Simson, whom he met at Glasgow University, the pair together developing an ‘extremely innovative’ approach to the subject (ODNB). Stewart later studied at Edinburgh University under Colin Maclaurin.

