Jump to content

Alexander Yule Fraser

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Alexander Yule Fraser
Kennedy-Fraser grave in Grange Cemetery, Edinburgh
Born(1857-05-03)3 May 1857
Died9 November 1890(1890-11-09) (aged 33)
Alma materUniversity of Aberdeen
Known forFounder of Edinburgh Mathematical Society
SpouseMarjory Kennedy-Fraser
ChildrenDavid Kennedy Fraser
Helen Patuffa Hood
Scientific career
FieldsMathematics
InstitutionsGeorge Watson's College

Alexander (Alec) Yule Fraser (1857–1890) was a Scottish mathematician, one of the founders of the Edinburgh Mathematical Society.

Life and work

[edit]

Fraser studied at the University of Aberdeen[1] where he graduated in 1881. After that, he was appointed Mathematical Master at George Watson's College (Edinburgh).[2] In 1889 he was appointed Headmaster at Allan Glen's School (Glasgow) but he remained only two months because a severe pleurisy forced him to leave Scotland going to South Africa in search of a better climate. Back to Scotland, his health deteriorated rapidly and died in Glasgow thirty three years old.

Alec married the singer Marjory Kennedy-Fraser in 1887 and they had a couple, David (1888–1962) and Helen Patuffa (1889–1967). David Kennedy Fraser became a psychologist, educator and amateur mathematician. Patuffa was a singer and musician, as her mother.

Fraser is mainly remembered for being one of the founding fathers of the Edinburgh Mathematical Society.[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Mann & Craik 2011, p. 99.
  2. ^ Hartveit 2011, p. 1.
  3. ^ Hartveit 2011, p. 12.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Hartveit, Marit (2011). The lesser names : the teachers of the Edinburgh Mathematical Society and other aspects of Scottish mathematics, 1867–1946 (PhD Thesis). University of St. Andrews. hdl:10023/1700.
  • Mann, A.J.S.; Craik, A.D.D. (2011). "Scotland. Land of opportunity but few rewards". In Raymond Flood; Adrian Rice; Robin Wilson (eds.). Mathematics in Victorian Britain. Oxford University Press. pp. 77–102. ISBN 978-0-19-960139-4.
[edit]