- Benjamin Robins
Benjamin Robins (1707–
29 July 1751 ) was an English scientist, mathematician, andengineer .Benjamin Robins was born in Bath. His parents were Quakers in poor circumstances; as a result, he received very little formal education. Having come to
London on the advice of Dr.Henry Pemberton (1694–1771), who had recognized Robins' talents, for a time he maintained himself by teachingmathematics , but soon devoted himself to engineering and the study of fortification. In particular he carried out an extensive series of experiments ingunnery , embodying his results in his famous treatise on "New Principles in Gunnery" (1742), which contains a description of hisballistic pendulum (see chronograph).Robins also made a number of important experiments on the resistance of the air to the motion of projectiles, and on the force of
gunpowder , with computation of the velocities thereby communicated to projectiles. He compared the results of his theory with experimental determinations of the ranges of mortars and cannon, and gave practical maxims for the management ofartillery . He also made observations on the flight ofrocket s, and wrote on the advantages of rifled gun barrels. His work on gunnery was translated into German byLeonhard Euler , who added a critical commentary of his own.Of less interest nowadays are Robins's more purely mathematical writings, such as his "Discourse concerning the Nature and Certainty of Sir
Isaac Newton 's Methods of Fluxions and of Prime and Ultimate Ratios" (1735), "A Demonstration of the Eleventh Proposition of Sir Isaac Newton's Treatise of Quadratures" (Phil. Trans., 1727), and similar works. Besides his scientific labors, Robins took an active part inpolitics . He wrote pamphlets in support of the opposition to SirRobert Walpole , and was secretary of a committee appointed by the House of Commons to inquire into the conduct of that minister. He also wrote a preface to the "Report on the Proceedings of the Board of General Officers on their Examination into the Conduct of Lieutenant-General Sir John Cope", in which he gave an apology for thebattle of Prestonpans .In 1749, he was appointed
engineer general to the East India Company, and went out to superintend the reconstruction of theirfort s. However, his health soon failed, and he died atFort St David inIndia . His works were published in two volumes in 1761.References
*1911
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