Identity area
Reference code
MacMahon/B/1/3
Unique identifier
Title
Date(s)
- 2 November 1901 (Creation)
Level of description
Item
Extent and medium
5p paper
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Watson was commissioned lietenant of the Royal Engineers in 1866, having studied at Trinity College, Dublin, and trained at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. He served under General Gordon in the Sudan, 1874-1875, where he was involved in surveying work. Deputy-Inspector-General of Fortifications, 1896-1902. Became a member of the Royal Geographical Society in 1875. After his retirement from the military, Watson acted as British Government Delegate to International Navigation Congresses, 1902-1908. Became Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Exploration Fund, 1905.
Repository
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Manuscript draft-copy of an article Watson later published in the 'Royal Engineers Journal' [see MacMahon B/1/2].Watson writes that the problem of squaring the circle, that is, of finding by geometrical construction a square of which the perimeter is equal to the circumference of a given circle, or a square of which the area is equal to that of a given circle, is an ancient one. While it is thought that a perfectly correct solution is impossible, there are various solutions which are very near to the true one. Watson proposes a solution which he has recently found and which he believes is worth putting on record if it has not been published already.