Alexander Rose
Encyclopedia
Alexander Rose of Edinburgh
was a wood
and ivory
turner
, following in the footsteps of his father, John, who came from Cromarty
. He developed an interest in minerals and began a mineral collection, becoming a dealer in minerals. He later became a lecturer in geology
and mineralogy
at Queen's College, Edinburgh and was eventually nominated as a Fellow of the Royal Scottish Academy
.
He was educated at the Royal High School
and in 1816, he married Isabella Boyne. They had three sons and six daughters.
In 1834, eleven of his students set up the Edinburgh Geological Society
, of which Rose became President for eleven years until 1846.
He retired from active work in 1856 and died four years later.
Recently, he has come to fame again as the notorious 'Alex the Geologist' in the math problem book written by Phillips Exeter Academy. The series of problems, featured throughout all the math levels, has Alex located in the desert, a certain distance from a road and a certain distance from his camp. Generally, the goal is to calculate the fastest route back to his camp.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
was a wood
Wood
Wood is a hard, fibrous tissue found in many trees. It has been used for hundreds of thousands of years for both fuel and as a construction material. It is an organic material, a natural composite of cellulose fibers embedded in a matrix of lignin which resists compression...
and ivory
Ivory
Ivory is a term for dentine, which constitutes the bulk of the teeth and tusks of animals, when used as a material for art or manufacturing. Ivory has been important since ancient times for making a range of items, from ivory carvings to false teeth, fans, dominoes, joint tubes, piano keys and...
turner
Turning
Turning is the process whereby a single point cutting tool is parallel to the surface. It can be done manually, in a traditional form of lathe, which frequently requires continuous supervision by the operator, or by using a computer controlled and automated lathe which does not. This type of...
, following in the footsteps of his father, John, who came from Cromarty
Cromarty
The Royal Burgh of Cromarty is a burgh in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland.-History:It was previously the county town of the former county of Cromartyshire...
. He developed an interest in minerals and began a mineral collection, becoming a dealer in minerals. He later became a lecturer in geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
and mineralogy
Mineralogy
Mineralogy is the study of chemistry, crystal structure, and physical properties of minerals. Specific studies within mineralogy include the processes of mineral origin and formation, classification of minerals, their geographical distribution, as well as their utilization.-History:Early writing...
at Queen's College, Edinburgh and was eventually nominated as a Fellow of the Royal Scottish Academy
Royal Scottish Academy
The Royal Scottish Academy is a Scottish organisation that promotes contemporary Scottish art. Founded in 1826, as the Royal Institution for the Encouragement of the Fine Arts, the RSA maintains a unique position in Scotland as an independently funded institution led by eminent artists and...
.
He was educated at the Royal High School
Royal High School (Edinburgh)
The Royal High School of Edinburgh is a co-educational state school administered by the City of Edinburgh Council. The school was founded in 1128 and is one of the oldest schools in Scotland, and has, throughout its history, been high achieving, consistently attaining well above average exam results...
and in 1816, he married Isabella Boyne. They had three sons and six daughters.
In 1834, eleven of his students set up the Edinburgh Geological Society
Edinburgh Geological Society
The Edinburgh Geological Society was founded in 1834 in Edinburgh, Scotland, with the aim of stimulating public interest in geology and the advancement of geological knowledge...
, of which Rose became President for eleven years until 1846.
He retired from active work in 1856 and died four years later.
Recently, he has come to fame again as the notorious 'Alex the Geologist' in the math problem book written by Phillips Exeter Academy. The series of problems, featured throughout all the math levels, has Alex located in the desert, a certain distance from a road and a certain distance from his camp. Generally, the goal is to calculate the fastest route back to his camp.
Sources
- Land, David (1999), Alexander Rose and the Society's furniture and silver, The Edinburgh Geologist, no 32, pp 30-36.
- Monro, Stuart (1981), Reflections on Alexander Rose, The Edinburgh Geologist, no 10, pp 2-4.