The library of James Stirling, a Scottish mathematician known as one of the foremost practitioners of eighteenth century Europe, has been sold live online and in Edinburgh by Lyon & Turnbull (Thursday 23 October) for almost £817,000.
Highlights of the sale include:
- Stirling's own exceptionally rare first edition of Sir Isaac Newton's ANALYSIS Per Quantitatum SERIES, FLUXIONES, AC DIFFERENTIAS. Sold for £100,800.
- Stirling's own copy of Newton's Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, generally considered to be the most important scientific book ever published. Sold for £42,840.
- A manuscript handwritten by James Stirling in 1730 of his principal and most famous work, the Methodus Differentialis. Sold for £50,400.
- An exceptionally rare Scottish silver 'pocket microscope' in a George II case made by Edinburgh-based John Clark, dated between 1749 and 1754. Sold for £42,840.
- A first edition of Sir William Stirling-Maxwell's 1848 Annals of the Artists of Spain, described as 'the first art-historical work illustrated by photography' presentation copy from the author. Sold for £27,720.
Stirling made significant contributions to mathematics in the fields of infinitesimal calculus and infinite series. He gave his name to two major innovations, Stirling’s formula and Stirling numbers. As well as being a personal friend of Sir Issac Newton, the founder of universal gravitation, he was one of the first Newtonian mathematicians, developing and expanding Newton’s work.
Stirling died in Edinburgh in December 1770 at the age of 78 and is buried in the famous Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh.
Cathy Tait, Head of Books & Rare Manuscripts with Lyon & Turnbull said:
"We are absolutely delighted with the results today’s auction of the library of James Stirling. Stirling was one of the most influential Scottish mathematicians of the eighteenth century, corresponding with key scientists and mathematicians of the Enlightenment era. It has been an honour to work with his books, scientific instruments and manuscripts in the sale."
