Robert Recorde

Robert Recorde (* 1510 in Tenby in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales, † 1558 in London Borough of Southwark ) was an English physician and mathematician.

Life

Robert Recorde came from a noble Welsh family and was educated at Oxford and Cambridge, where he was awarded an academic degree in medicine in 1545. Later he taught a short time in Oxford. He was probably the personal physician of the English king Edward VI. and his successor, Mary Tudor.

Recorde but died in prison in which he had been brought because of his debts. The reason for his arrest is not known, but it is perhaps in offenses with which to Recorde was guilty in his temporary role as inspector of the Irish mines.

Works

His extant works deal with arithmetic, geometry and algebra, he introduced the first mathematician in England. His " The Ground of Arts" ( 1540) saw numerous editions and remained until the 17th century, the standard work on arithmetic. In "The whetstone of witte " ( 1557) for the first time appeared the modern equals sign =.

Writings

• The Grovnd of Artes ( printed in London 1540-1542 )
• The Castle of Knowledge ( printed in London in 1551 )
• The pathwaie to knowledge ( printed in London in 1551 )
• The whetstone of witte ( printed in London 1557)