400 Life of the Rev. Abraham Robertson, D.D. 



From the published Catalogue of Graduates, it appears that he 

 proceeded B. A., June 9th, 1779; M.A., Dec. 17th, 1782; B.D., 

 June 12th, and D.D , June 18th, .1807. 



Dr. Symons attended his lectures, and knew him well.^ 



He published a treatise relating to the Fifth Book of Euclid, 

 the exact title of which 1 do not know. 



His book upon Conic Sections was (and I believe is) considered 

 the best geometrical treatise on that subject. 



He was in good repute as a mathematician, even out of Oxford. 



He was brought to Oxford (so it is said) by the well known 

 apothecary, Ireland, was employed by him in the lowest capacity 

 in his shop, and waited at his table when he had company. One 

 day when Cyril Jacksonf and other tutors were dining with 

 Ireland, a discussion of a very difficult problem in arithmetic 

 arose, and one of the guests gave an explanation or solution in a 

 very positive way. Robertson, however, interposed with the 

 words " The gentleman is mistaken," then gave the right answer 

 himself, and justified it. The result of this was that Cyril Jack- 

 son recommended him to the Dean (Markham), who gave him a 

 Servitorship. Afterwards, by Dean Bagot I suppose, he was ap- 

 pointed Chaplain ; and in time he went off upon a living, from 

 which he was recalled to Oxford in 1797, to be Savilian Professor 

 of Geometry. 



In 1810, he succeeded Dr. Hornsby as Savilian Professor of 

 Astronomy, and as Radcliffe Observer ; and was succeeded in both 

 those offices by Rigaud, in 1827. 



I believe he died before the end of 1826. 

 Believe me, always 



Yours very faithfully, 



JOHN GRIFFITHS." 



I cannot ascertain the precise date of Dr. Robertson's 

 decease. In the Obituary of the " Newcastle Magazine" for 

 1827, p. 28, we have this entry, " January. Died at Oxford, 

 Abraham Robertson, D.D., Savilian Professor of Astronomy, 

 and Radcliffe Observer, aged 75." In the " Annual Register" 

 for 1827, p. 218, is given the appointment of his successor — 

 " March, — Stephen Peter Rigaud, Esq., M.A., to be Savilian 

 Professor of Astronomy, vice Dr. Robertson, dec." According 

 to his matriculation, he would be born in 1752-53 ; but 

 according to this statement in 1751-2. The Statistical 

 Account of the Parish of Dunse, (Berwickshire, p. 251), 

 says he was born in 1851, and died in 1826. The reverend 



* Eev. Dr. Symons, late "Warden of Wadham, still living at a very great 

 age. 



t Dr. Cyril Jackson, (1746—1819), afterwards Dean of Christ Church. 



