John Wallis
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Summary
John Wallis was born on November 23, 1616[1], in Ashford[2]. He died on October 28, 1703[3], in Oxford[4]. He worked as a mathematician[5], historian of mathematics[6], philosopher[7], musicologist[8], and music theorist[9]. He ranks in the top 0.72% of human entities by monthly Wikipedia readership (1,050 views/month, #7,158 of 1,000,298).[10]
Key Facts
- Date of death: October 28, 1703[11]
- Place of burial: University Church of St Mary the Virgin[12]
- Father: Rev. John Wallis[13]
- Mother: Joanna Chapman[14]
- Child: Anne Blencowe[15], John Wallis[16]
- Country of citizenship: Kingdom of England[17]
- Occupation: cryptologist[18], university teacher[19], archivist[20], theologian[21]
- Field of work: mathematics[22]
- Position held: Savilian Professor of Geometry[23]
- Employer: University of Oxford[24], Queens' College[25]
- Educated at: Emmanuel College[26], Felsted School[27], University of Cambridge[28], Tenterden Infant School[29]
- Student: John Caswell[30]
- Notable work: Wallis product[31], Arithmetica Infinitorum[32], Treatise on Algebra[33], Grammatica Linguae Anglicanae[34]
- Member of: Royal Society[35]
- Religion or worldview: Presbyterianism[36]
- Sex or gender: male[37]
- Commons category: John Wallis[38]
- Family name: Wallis[39]
- Given name: John[40]
- Depicted by: John Wallis[41], Reverend John Wallis (1616–1703), DD[42]
- Described by source: Dictionary of National Biography, 1885–1900[43], Small Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary[44], Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary[45], Riemann's Music Dictionary[46], Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)[47], BEIC Digital Library[48], Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition[49], Men of Kent and Kentishmen[50]
- Languages spoken, written or signed: Latin[51], English[52]
Body
Works and Contributions
Things named for John Wallis include Wallis product[53], a formula[54] and 31982 Johnwallis[55], an asteroid[56].
Why It Matters
John Wallis has Wikipedia articles in 26 language editions, a strong signal of global cultural recognition.[57] He is known by 23 alternative names across languages and contexts.[58]
He is credited with the discovery of infinity symbol[59], an Unicode character[60]. Entities named for him include Wallis product[53], a formula[54] and 31982 Johnwallis[55], an asteroid[56].
FAQs
Where was John Wallis born?
John Wallis was born in Ashford[2].
Where did John Wallis die?
John Wallis passed away in Oxford[4].
Who were John Wallis's parents?
John Wallis's father was Rev. John Wallis[13]. John Wallis's mother was Joanna Chapman[14].
What did John Wallis do for work?
John Wallis worked as a mathematician[5], historian of mathematics[6], philosopher[7], musicologist[8], and music theorist[9].
Where did John Wallis go to school?
John Wallis was educated at Emmanuel College[26], Felsted School[27], University of Cambridge[28], and Tenterden Infant School[29].
What did John Wallis discover?
John Wallis is credited as discoverer of infinity symbol[59].