Beschreibung:

GREGORY, James (1638-1675). Vera circuli et hyperbolae quadratura cui accedit Geometria pars universalis inserviens quantitatum curvarum transmutationi et mensurae . Padua: heirs of Paolo Frambotti, 1668, [Bound with:] GREGORY, J. Geometriae pars universalis, inserviens quantitatum curvarum transmutationi et mensurae . Padua: heirs of Paolo Frambotti, 1668. 2 works as issued in one volume, 4º (195 x 142mm). Pagination: [12], 9-62, [2]pp. [and:] [12], 151, [1]pp. Both works with printer's device on titles and geometrical diagrams. (1st work with some browning, 2nd work with a few corners creased and small hole in lower margin of P2.) Modern marbled wrappers. Provenance : Henry Cavendish (1731-1810; stamp on verso of each title) -- Seminary of Philadelphia (stamp on 1st title). HENRY CAVENDISH'S COPY. FIRST COMPLETE EDITION and first appearance in print of Geometriae pars universalis. Gregory lived in Padua between 1664 and 1667, studying geometry, mechanics and astronomy under Stefano degli Angeli, pupil of Evangelista Torricelli. Vera circuli , first published in 1667, attempted to prove that it was impossible to achieve an algebraic quadrature of the general conic sector. There appear to have been two issues of the 1668 edition, one paginated [4], 62, [2]pp. as in the Macclesfield copy, the other paginated as in our copy above. The former issue contained a folding engraved plate. Whether the plate was also called for in this alternative issue has proved hard to establish. The collations of the copies at Leibniz and Hanover agree with ours and do not call for a plate. The Geometriae pars universalis is the longer work, an anthology of contemporary methods in tangent, quadrature, cubature, and rectification problems. About Easter 1668 Gregory returned to London; 'backed by John Collins' glowing reviews of his two Italian treatises, and much in demand for his fresh contact with recent developments in Italian science, he was elected to the Royal Society on 11 June. We are only now beginning to realize the extent and depth of his influence, mathematically and scientifically, on Newton' (DSB). Henry Cavendish, owner of this copy, was the grandson of the second duke of Devonshire and the discoverer of hydrogen, which he called 'inflammable air.' His interests included thermometry, the chemistry of 'airs' and waters, astronomy and geodesy, atmospheric electricity as part of a universal science of climate and planetary mechanics, and meteorological chemistry which he eventually constructed into a remarkable global theory of heat, chemistry, and rational mechanics. For the Macclesfield copy, see Sotheby's, The Library of the Earls of Macclesfield , part 4, 4 November 2004, lot 940.