W J Johnston Archive

The archive contains twelve of Johnston's lecture notebooks on mathematical subjects.

William John Johnston was born in 1858 in Dublin, the son of a barrister. He attended Aldenham Grammar School, and subsequently Queen's University, Belfast. He graduated from Queen's with a first class degree in pure and applied mathematics, and was awarded the gold medal for his work. In 1880 he entered Trinity College, Dublin as a scholar of the house. He graduated in 1883, once again with a gold medal, and was awarded the Bishop Law prize in 1884. He also received his MA from Queen's University that year.

In 1885, Johnston came to Aberystwyth as a lecturer in the Department of Mathematics, later becoming Assistant Professor. He became a popular figure amongst his students. During his time at Aberystwyth, he published An Elementary Treatise on Analytical Geometry. In 1919 he presented a paper on 'Algebra of Relativity' to the Royal Society, and in 1924 he addressed the Royal Irish Academy on the subject of quaternions.Johnston retired from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth in 1923. He died on October 24th the following year.

The papers may be consulted through application to Information Services, Hugh Owen Library, University of Wales Aberystwyth, Penglais Campus, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3DZ, Tel: 01970 622399, Fax: 01970 622404, E-mail: libinfo@aber.ac.uk

Description compiled by Rhian Phillips, Archives Hub project archivist, with reference to 'The Late W J Johnston', The Dragon, vol.47 (1924-25).

Basic finding aid available at Hugh Owen Library, University of Wales, Aberystwyth.