Person: Russell, John Scott
John Scott Russell was a Scottish engineer and naval architect best known for his identification of a solitary wave: a precursor of today's solitons.
Mathematical Profile (Excerpt):
- John Scott Russell was primarily an engineer and naval architect, rather than a mathematician; but his name is well-known to applied mathematicians today through his experimental discovery of the 'solitary wave'.
- During 1832-33, following the death of John Leslie, he substituted for the professor of natural philosophy at Edinburgh University; but he did not apply for the vacant post, which he was sure would go to David Brewster.
- In 1838, Russell was an unsuccessful applicant for the chair of Mathematics, which Philip Kelland secured.
- In the 1830s Russell developed a prototype passenger-carrying steam carriage, but it met with opposition from the road trustees, and the venture failed.
- He spoke of his work at early meetings of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, founded in 1831; and the Association appointed him and Sir John Robison of Edinburgh to a 'Committee on Waves' to conduct observations and experiments.
- A substantial report by Robison and Russell appeared in 1837 and Russell alone wrote his major Report on Waves (1844) following Robison's death in 1843.
- These reports, in fact all Russell's own work, contain a remarkable series of observations, at sea, in rivers and canals, and in Russell's own wave tank constructed for the purpose.
- There, Russell's "Great Wave of Translation" is described in detail.
- Russell's experimental work helped to stimulate a revival in theoretical hydrodynamics in Britain.
- Airy objected to the emphasis placed by Russell on his "Great Primary Wave", wrongly arguing that it was neither great nor primary, but just one consequence of the linear shallow water theory which he (Airy) had given.
- In the 1860s, Russell's reputation suffered a number of setbacks from which it never recovered.
Born 9 May 1808, Parkhead, near Glasgow, Scotland. Died 8 June 1882, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, England.
View full biography at MacTutor
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Origin Scotland
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References
Adapted from other CC BY-SA 4.0 Sources:
- O’Connor, John J; Robertson, Edmund F: MacTutor History of Mathematics Archive
