Alexander Burgess

Background

He was born in Wishaw, Lanarkshire in southern Scotland in 1873.

Education

He attended Wishaw Academy and then George Watson’s College in Edinburgh.

Career

He served as President of the Edinburgh Mathematical Society. He is noted for his work on Tripolar Company-ordinates. Here he studied under Professor George Chrystal.

He became a teacher at Merchiston Castle School.

From there he moved to Rothesay Academy and Edinburgh Ladies College before returning to Rothesay as Rector of Rothesay Academy and the Thomson Institute in 1917. He served as its Secretary 1908-1911, Vice-President 1911-1912 and President 1912-1913.

During this period he organised the first Mathematical Colloquium in the city. In 1902 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Edinburgh University granted him an honorary Doctorate (Doctor of Science) in 1924, specifically for his thesis on Tripolar Company-ordinates.

He died on 29 March 1932.

Achievements

• In 1890 he won a bursary allowing him to study Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at Edinburgh University receiving an Master of Arts degree in 1894.

Membership

In 1900 he became a member of the Edinburgh Mathematical Society, presenting at least 13 papers to the body over his membership.