Robert Franklin Muirhead
Encyclopedia
Robert Franklin Muirhead (1860–1941), was a Scottish mathematician who discovered Muirhead's inequality
.
, Glasgow, in January 1860, Robert Franklyn Muirhead received his early education from private tutors and the village school at Lochwinnoch
. After attending the Hamilton Academy
and Paisley Grammar school he entered the University of Glasgow
, graduating BSc
(1879) and MA
(1881) gaining highest honours in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy and the Ferguson Scholarship. Winning the four year George A. Clark Scholarship from Glasgow, Muirhead then continued his studies at St. Catharine’s College
, University of Cambridge
, where in 1886 he won the Smith’s Prize for his essay on Newton's laws of motion
, following a year at the University of Göttingen
, Birmingham, from 1891 to 1893, in which latter year he married and settled in Glasgow, coaching in mathematics, physics and engineering, and founding the Glasgow Tutorial College.
Muirhead was to publish many Papers on mathematics in the Proceedings and Mathematical Notes of the Edinburgh Mathematical Society
and in the Mathematical Gazette
, but is principally known for his Papers on Inequalities and as the author of Muirhead's inequality
theory.
in February 1884, and twice elected its president (in 1899 and 1909.) He was elected an Honorary Member of the Society in 1912.
Robert Franklin Muirhead died at Glasgow in 1941.
Muirhead's inequality
In mathematics, Muirhead's inequality, named after Robert Franklin Muirhead, also known as the "bunching" method, generalizes the inequality of arithmetic and geometric means.-The "a-mean":For any real vectora=...
.
Early life and education
Born at ShawlandsShawlands
Shawlands is a district of Glasgow, Scotland located less than 2 miles south of the River Clyde. The area has an approximate population of 8000 people, with over 82% dwelling in flats, 74% owner occupied and 79% living alone or with one other person...
, Glasgow, in January 1860, Robert Franklyn Muirhead received his early education from private tutors and the village school at Lochwinnoch
Lochwinnoch
Lochwinnoch is a village in the council area and historic county of Renfrewshire in the west central Lowlands of Scotland. Lying on the banks of Castle Semple Loch and the River Calder, Lochwinnoch is chiefly a residential dormitory village serving nearby urban centres such as Glasgow and Paisley...
. After attending the Hamilton Academy
Hamilton Academy
Hamilton Academy was a school situated in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, Scotland.Described as "one of the finest schools in Scotland" in the Cambridge University Press County Biography of 1910, Hamilton Academy featured in the Scottish Secondary Teachers' Association Magazine article series on...
and Paisley Grammar school he entered the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
, graduating BSc
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
(1879) and MA
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
(1881) gaining highest honours in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy and the Ferguson Scholarship. Winning the four year George A. Clark Scholarship from Glasgow, Muirhead then continued his studies at St. Catharine’s College
St Catharine's College, Cambridge
St. Catharine’s College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Founded in 1473, the college is often referred to informally by the nickname "Catz".-History:...
, University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, where in 1886 he won the Smith’s Prize for his essay on Newton's laws of motion
Newton's laws of motion
Newton's laws of motion are three physical laws that form the basis for classical mechanics. They describe the relationship between the forces acting on a body and its motion due to those forces...
, following a year at the University of Göttingen
Career
Also during his tenureship of the George A. Clark Scholarship, Muirhead conducted classes at the University of Glasgow for pass and honours men thereafter holding teaching posts including as lecturer on Mathematics at Mason Science CollegeMason Science College
Mason Science College was founded by Josiah Mason in 1875, the buildings of which were opened in Edmund Street, Birmingham, England on 1 October 1880 by Thomas Henry Huxley...
, Birmingham, from 1891 to 1893, in which latter year he married and settled in Glasgow, coaching in mathematics, physics and engineering, and founding the Glasgow Tutorial College.
Muirhead was to publish many Papers on mathematics in the Proceedings and Mathematical Notes of the Edinburgh Mathematical Society
Edinburgh Mathematical Society
The Edinburgh Mathematical Society is the leading mathematical society in Scotland.The Society was founded in 1883 by a group of Edinburgh schoolteachers and academics, on the initiative of A. Y. Fraser and A. J. G. Barclay, teachers at George Watson's College and Cargill Gilston Knott, who was the...
and in the Mathematical Gazette
Mathematical Association
The Mathematical Association is a professional society concerned with mathematics education in the UK.-History:It was founded in 1871 as the Association for the Improvement of Geometrical Teaching and renamed to the Mathematical Association in 1897. It was the first teachers' subject organisation...
, but is principally known for his Papers on Inequalities and as the author of Muirhead's inequality
Muirhead's inequality
In mathematics, Muirhead's inequality, named after Robert Franklin Muirhead, also known as the "bunching" method, generalizes the inequality of arithmetic and geometric means.-The "a-mean":For any real vectora=...
theory.
Honours
Muirhead was elected a member of the Edinburgh Mathematical SocietyEdinburgh Mathematical Society
The Edinburgh Mathematical Society is the leading mathematical society in Scotland.The Society was founded in 1883 by a group of Edinburgh schoolteachers and academics, on the initiative of A. Y. Fraser and A. J. G. Barclay, teachers at George Watson's College and Cargill Gilston Knott, who was the...
in February 1884, and twice elected its president (in 1899 and 1909.) He was elected an Honorary Member of the Society in 1912.
Robert Franklin Muirhead died at Glasgow in 1941.