Lucasian Professor of Mathematics

Lucasian Professor of Mathematics. The Lucasian Professorship of Mathematics is a prestigious academic chair in the Faculty of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge. Founded in 1663 by a bequest from Henry Lucas, a former Member of Parliament for the university constituency, it is one of the most famous named professorships in the world. Holders of the chair have made profound contributions to mathematical physics, theoretical physics, and pure mathematics, shaping the course of modern science.

History

The professorship was established in 1663 under the will of Henry Lucas, who left his library of 4,000 volumes and an endowment of land to the university. The first holder, Isaac Barrow, was appointed in 1664, but he is perhaps best known for resigning the post in 1669 in favor of his brilliant student, Isaac Newton. Newton's tenure, lasting until 1702, saw the development of his laws of motion and universal gravitation, largely set out in his monumental work Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica. Subsequent centuries saw the chair held by figures who advanced fields like fluid dynamics and astronomy, including George Biddell Airy, the seventh Astronomer Royal. The 20th and 21st centuries transformed the professorship into a central position in theoretical physics, particularly under the tenure of Paul Dirac, a founder of quantum mechanics and predictor of antimatter.

Appointment and tenure

Appointment to the professorship is governed by the statutes of the University of Cambridge and the original terms of Lucas's will. The position is typically filled following an extensive international search conducted by an advisory committee of senior academics from the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics and the Department of Pure Mathematics and Mathematical Statistics. The final appointment is made by the Regent House, the university's governing body. Historically, tenure was for life, though modern holders often retire from the post upon reaching the university's statutory retirement age. The professor is required to deliver a series of lectures, a tradition dating to the foundation, and is expected to conduct world-leading research, often within the Cavendish Laboratory or the Isaac Newton Institute.

Notable holders

Beyond Isaac Newton and Paul Dirac, the chair's roster includes many luminaries of science. Charles Babbage, the ninth holder, is famed for his designs of the Difference Engine and Analytical Engine, early mechanical computers. George Gabriel Stokes made seminal contributions to fluid dynamics and optics, with fundamental laws in viscosity and fluorescence bearing his name. In the modern era, Stephen Hawking held the chair for 30 years, from 1979 to 2009, achieving global fame for his work on black holes and cosmology described in books like A Brief History of Time. His successor, Michael Green, co-pioneered string theory through the Green–Schwarz mechanism. The current holder, Michael Cates, is renowned for his research in soft matter physics and statistical mechanics.

Endowment and stipend

The original endowment consisted of a parcel of land in Bedfordshire, the rental income from which provided the professor's stipend. Over centuries, the financial arrangements have been integrated into the broader finances of the University of Cambridge. The stipend is now set by the university and is comparable to other senior professorial salaries within the Russell Group. While the original endowment's value was modest by modern standards, the prestige associated with the title is considered its primary non-monetary benefit. The professorship is formally attached to a fellowship at Trinity College, providing additional privileges and support.

Related academic positions

The Lucasian Professorship exists within a hierarchy of distinguished Cambridge chairs. In mathematics, it is paralleled by the Sadleirian Professor of Pure Mathematics and the Rouse Ball Professor of Mathematics. In the physical sciences, the Cavendish Professor of Physics is of comparable prestige, historically held by figures like James Clerk Maxwell and Ernest Rutherford. At the University of Oxford, analogous positions include the Sedleian Professor of Natural Philosophy and the Savilian Professor of Geometry. Similar endowed chairs at other global institutions, such as the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, also serve as hubs for foundational theoretical research.

Category:University of Cambridge professors Category:Mathematics awards and fellowships