Henry Martyn Taylor
Who was Henry Martyn Taylor?
British mathematician (1842-1927)
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Henry Martyn Taylor (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Henry Martyn Taylor (6 June 1842 – 16 October 1927) was an English mathematician, barrister, and editor. Born in Bristol, he was educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Wakefield and then went on to Trinity College, Cambridge. At Cambridge, he was academically outstanding, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1865 as 3rd Wrangler, a highly competitive rank among the top mathematicians of his class. He pursued a career in law as a barrister while staying deeply connected to mathematics.
Taylor made important contributions to geometry, especially with the Taylor circle, a geometric construction named after him. He also did editorial work for the Cambridge University Press, preparing an edition of Euclid when he lost his sight in 1894. Instead of giving up, Taylor tackled the challenge by creating a unique Braille notation system for advanced math and science, which existing Braille systems couldn't handle well.
The notation he developed was so effective that it became the standard for mathematical and chemical Braille among English speakers. In 1917, he worked with Mr. Emblen, a blind staff member at the National Institute for the Blind, to refine and finalize the system. This collaboration made it widely accessible, allowing blind readers and students to engage with complex scientific and mathematical materials.
Aside from his academic work, Taylor was active in public life, serving as Mayor of Cambridge from 1900 to 1901, showing his dedication to public service alongside his academic and legal careers. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in June 1898 for his contributions to mathematics and scientific communication, and he was also a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, signifying his broad scientific interests.
Taylor died on 16 October 1927 in Cambridge and is buried at the Parish of the Ascension Burial Ground in Cambridge, alongside his mother, Eliza Taylor, née Johnson. He was the second son of the Reverend James Taylor and Eliza Johnson, living through a time of significant change in British science, law, and society. His work in making mathematics education more accessible, achieved despite the personal challenge of blindness, left a lasting impact on scientific communication.
Before Fame
Henry Martyn Taylor was born on June 6, 1842, in Bristol as the second son of Reverend James Taylor and Eliza Johnson. He got his early education at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Wakefield, known for its strong classical and academic programs. He then went to Trinity College, Cambridge, a top college in the university and famous for its focus on math.
At Cambridge, Taylor took part in the Mathematical Tripos, a tough exam series that was the hallmark of top-level math education in Victorian Britain. Graduating as the 3rd Wrangler in 1865 placed him among the best in his class and opened up opportunities in law, academia, and public life. Following both a legal and mathematical career was common for wranglers at the time, as many used their analytical skills in various professional areas.
Key Achievements
- Graduated as 3rd Wrangler in the Cambridge Mathematical Tripos (1865)
- Developed the Taylor circle, a notable construction in classical geometry
- Devised a Braille notation system for advanced mathematics and chemistry, adopted as the English-speaking standard
- Elected Fellow of the Royal Society in June 1898
- Served as Mayor of Cambridge (1900–1901)
Did You Know?
- 01.Taylor graduated as 3rd Wrangler in the Cambridge Mathematical Tripos of 1865, an intensely competitive ranking that was considered one of the highest intellectual honours in Victorian Britain.
- 02.He began losing his sight in 1894 while working on an edition of Euclid for Cambridge University Press, and responded by inventing an entirely new Braille notation for mathematics and science.
- 03.The mathematical Braille system Taylor devised, later refined in 1917 with the help of a blind collaborator named Mr. Emblen, became the standard notation for English-speaking blind mathematicians and scientists for decades.
- 04.Taylor served as Mayor of Cambridge in 1900–1901, making him one of a small number of Fellows of the Royal Society to also hold significant municipal office.
- 05.He is buried at the Parish of the Ascension Burial Ground in Cambridge, the same burial ground that holds the graves of several other notable Cambridge academics, alongside his mother Eliza Taylor, née Johnson.
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Fellow of the Royal Society | 1898 | — |