Lectures and Papers of Professor George Chrystal (1851-1911)

The collection consists of lectures on senior mathematics at Edinburgh University, 1885-1886, and on mathematics generally, 1894-1895. There is also a letter from Chrystal to P. G. Tait, 15 May 1879. Included too are photographs, mainly topographical and of Italy, taken by Chrystal, 1870s and 1890s.

George Chrystal was born in Aberdeenshire on 8 March 1851. He was educated at the Grammar School in Aberdeen and at Aberdeen and Cambridge Universities. Prior to his becoming Professor of Mathematics at Edinburgh University in 1879, he was a Fellow and Lecturer at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and Professor of Mathematics at St. Andrews University. Chrystal's publications include the two part Treatise on algebra, and the Introduction to algebra (1898). Professor George Chrystal died 3 November 1911.

Generally open for consultation to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance.

Lectures taken by Easterbrook, part of purchase June 1972, Accession no. E72.26. Other lectures received November 1975, Accession no. E75.59. Letter received May 1983, Accession no. E83.32. Photographs received November 1996, Accession no. E96.61.

The biographical/administrative history was compiled using the following material: (1) Who was who. A companion to Who's who...1897-1916. London: A. and C. Black, 1920.

Compiled by Graeme D Eddie, Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections Division.

Important finding aids generally are: the alphabetical Index to Manuscripts held at Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections and Archives, consisting of typed slips in sheaf binders and to which additions were made until 1987; and the Index to Accessions Since 1987.

The local Indexes show other references to Chrystal (check the Indexes for more details): mention of Chrystal in letters from P. G. Tait to Lord Kelvin, 1879, 1882; and, a notice of in Sir J. S. Flett's account of his student days, 1886-1894. In addition, the UK National Register of Archives (NRA), updated by the Historical Manuscripts Commission, notes: papers, 1879-1910, National Library of Scotland, Manuscripts Division; letters to Sir George Stokes, 1877-1906, Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives, Ref. Add 7342, 7656, NRA 20700 Stokes; correspondence with Lord Kelvin, 1878-1906, Cambridge University Library, Department of Manuscripts and University, Archives, Ref. Add 7342, 7656, NRA 20700 Stokes; and notes of his lectures, 1887-1888, St Andrews University Library, Ref. MS 38227.