Identity area
Reference code
Wood
Unique identifier
Title
Date(s)
- 1754–1817 (Circa, mostly undated) (Creation)
Level of description
Fonds
Extent and medium
6 boxes paper
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Mathematician. James Wood was born in 1760 in Bury, Lancashire. His father ran evening classes where Wood learnt the rudiments of mathematics. He then attended Bury Grammar School, where he won an endowed exhibition to St John's College. He entered the College in 1778, graduated BA in 1782, as Senior Wrangler and first Smith's Prizeman, and was elected to a Fellowship. Wood was a College tutor from 1789 to 1814, and during this time he published his 'Principles of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy', a four-volume work intended to prepare students for the Tripos. Each volume ran through several editions, with 'The Elements of Algebra' being reprinted in its last edition in 1861. Wood was ordained deacon in 1785 and priest in 1787, and was appointed Dean of Ely in 1820. He served as President of St John's from 1802 to 1815, and as Master from 1815 until his death in 1839. A considerable benefactor to the College during his lifetime, Wood left his library to the College upon his death.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Manuscript notebooks in various hands on mathematics, astronomy, moral and natural philosophy, theology and classics, with some printed items.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
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Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
- English
- Latin
Script of material
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Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Preferred citation: St John's College Library, Papers of James Wood
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Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
14 Feb 2007