Practical algebra and hydrostatics: the legacy of Thomas Harriot

This article provides a glimpse of the unpublished work of Harriot's colleague Walter Warner. The main topic is the use of hydrostatic weighing and algebraic symbolism to determine the constitution of a mixture of metals. This was an important matter in the context of contemporary debates about...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Seventeenth century Vol. 38; no. 2; pp. 233 - 243
Main Author Biggs, Norman
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Durham Routledge 04.03.2023
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects
17th century
Algebra
Fluid dynamics
Harriot, Thomas (1560-1621)
Hydrostatics
Symbolism
Walter Warner
Warner, Walter
weighing
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:This article provides a glimpse of the unpublished work of Harriot's colleague Walter Warner. The main topic is the use of hydrostatic weighing and algebraic symbolism to determine the constitution of a mixture of metals. This was an important matter in the context of contemporary debates about currency and exchange. Recent discoveries have revealed the extent of Warner's writings in this field, and the involvement of other notable seventeenth-century figures, such as Charles Thynne, Henry Robinson, John Dury, Samuel Hartlib, Justinian Isham, and David Ramsay. Their work illustrates many facets of scientific enquiry at that time, such as the contemporary concepts of weight and density, and the introduction of the new symbolic algebra in Harriot's style.
ISSN:0268-117X
2050-4616
DOI:10.1080/0268117X.2022.2158124