1839 REFORMER JOSEPH HUME—POLITICAL AND EDUCATIONAL LETTER TO MATHEMATICIAN WILLIAM WALLACE
HUME, JOSEPH (1777–1855). Influential Scottish Radical politician, physician, parliamentary reformer, and longtime Member of Parliament. Autograph Letter Signed, “Jos. Hume,” approximately three pages on a folded sheet. London, August 10, 1839. Addressed to Professor William Wallace, Edinburgh.
An appealing association letter connecting two distinguished self-made Scots: Radical parliamentary reformer Joseph Hume and mathematician William Wallace, former Professor of Mathematics at the University of Edinburgh.
Hume begins by promising to obtain a parliamentary publication requested by Wallace:
“I shall have much pleasure in sending you the Report you ask for, if there is a copy to spare…but it may be Saturday next before I know, and shall be ready to forward you with any other Parliamentary Papers worth your attention.”
The letter proceeds to discuss the work of a commission, a contemplated academic appointment or professorship, government policy, and the proper organization of university instruction. Hume comments upon the qualifications that students should possess before entering a professor’s class, observing that all should be required to have mastered certain “elementary branches.” He also specifically considers the teaching of geometry—an especially appropriate subject for his correspondent, one of Scotland’s leading mathematicians.
Hume additionally offers a candid assessment of the government’s political position, remarking:
“The London Ministry is losing ground every hour…”
He hopes that this deterioration will not be overlooked by the constituencies. The letter therefore combines university and educational questions with Hume’s characteristically direct political observations.
Joseph Hume was born in Montrose, trained as a surgeon at the University of Edinburgh, and accumulated a fortune while serving in India. After returning to Britain, he entered Parliament and became one of its most persistent advocates for retrenchment, electoral reform, religious liberty, expanded education, and accountability in government spending. His relentless examination of public expenditures earned him a national reputation as the “watchdog of the Treasury.” At the time of this letter, Hume represented Kilkenny in the House of Commons.
The recipient, William Wallace (1768–1843), rose from an apprenticeship as an Edinburgh bookbinder to become one of Britain’s most respected mathematicians. He succeeded John Playfair as Professor of Mathematics at the University of Edinburgh in 1819 and held the chair until 1838. Wallace published important work in geometry, promoted continental methods of calculus in Britain, and invented the eidograph, an improved instrument for copying drawings at different scales.
Hume concludes warmly:
“I am
Your old friend
Jos. Hume.”
Condition: Original correspondence folds with light toning, scattered staining, ink offsetting and show-through. Small areas of weakness or separation at fold intersections and a short upper-edge tear. Hume made several contemporary corrections and deletions while composing the letter. The manuscript remains substantially legible, and the signature is bold, complete, and unaffected.
A substantive political and educational letter with an excellent association between a major British parliamentary reformer and an important Scottish mathematician.
HUME, JOSEPH (1777–1855). Influential Scottish Radical politician, physician, parliamentary reformer, and longtime Member of Parliament. Autograph Letter Signed, “Jos. Hume,” approximately three pages on a folded sheet. London, August 10, 1839. Addressed to Professor William Wallace, Edinburgh.
An appealing association letter connecting two distinguished self-made Scots: Radical parliamentary reformer Joseph Hume and mathematician William Wallace, former Professor of Mathematics at the University of Edinburgh.
Hume begins by promising to obtain a parliamentary publication requested by Wallace:
“I shall have much pleasure in sending you the Report you ask for, if there is a copy to spare…but it may be Saturday next before I know, and shall be ready to forward you with any other Parliamentary Papers worth your attention.”
The letter proceeds to discuss the work of a commission, a contemplated academic appointment or professorship, government policy, and the proper organization of university instruction. Hume comments upon the qualifications that students should possess before entering a professor’s class, observing that all should be required to have mastered certain “elementary branches.” He also specifically considers the teaching of geometry—an especially appropriate subject for his correspondent, one of Scotland’s leading mathematicians.
Hume additionally offers a candid assessment of the government’s political position, remarking:
“The London Ministry is losing ground every hour…”
He hopes that this deterioration will not be overlooked by the constituencies. The letter therefore combines university and educational questions with Hume’s characteristically direct political observations.
Joseph Hume was born in Montrose, trained as a surgeon at the University of Edinburgh, and accumulated a fortune while serving in India. After returning to Britain, he entered Parliament and became one of its most persistent advocates for retrenchment, electoral reform, religious liberty, expanded education, and accountability in government spending. His relentless examination of public expenditures earned him a national reputation as the “watchdog of the Treasury.” At the time of this letter, Hume represented Kilkenny in the House of Commons.
The recipient, William Wallace (1768–1843), rose from an apprenticeship as an Edinburgh bookbinder to become one of Britain’s most respected mathematicians. He succeeded John Playfair as Professor of Mathematics at the University of Edinburgh in 1819 and held the chair until 1838. Wallace published important work in geometry, promoted continental methods of calculus in Britain, and invented the eidograph, an improved instrument for copying drawings at different scales.
Hume concludes warmly:
“I am
Your old friend
Jos. Hume.”
Condition: Original correspondence folds with light toning, scattered staining, ink offsetting and show-through. Small areas of weakness or separation at fold intersections and a short upper-edge tear. Hume made several contemporary corrections and deletions while composing the letter. The manuscript remains substantially legible, and the signature is bold, complete, and unaffected.
A substantive political and educational letter with an excellent association between a major British parliamentary reformer and an important Scottish mathematician.
