Taylor, BROOK

Taylor, BROOK, mathematician, was born of good family at Edimonton in Middlesex, August 18, 1685, and studied at St John's College, Cambridge. In 1715 he published his Methodus Incrementorum Directa et Inversa, the foundation of the Calculus of Finite Differences. Herein also is the formula which, as 'Taylor's theorem,' will keep his name from ever being forgotten. In 1716 he visited Paris and was warmly received by the French savants. From 1714 till 1718 he acted as secretary to the Royal Society. His last years were given to speculations in philosophy and religion, and were darkened by the early deaths of two successive wives. He himself died December 29, 1731. Other works were a Treatise on Linear Perspective (improved ed. 1719) and the posthumous Contemplatio Philosophica (edited by his grandson, Sir W. Young, with Life, 1793). Several short papers may be found in the Phil. Trans. (1713–23).