Roger Cotes (1682-1716) was an English mathematician, astronomer, and theologian. He was born in Burbage, Leicestershire, and was educated at Cambridge University, where he earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees.
Cotes made significant contributions to mathematics and astronomy during his short career. He is best known for his work on the second edition of Isaac Newton's "Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica" (Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy), which was published in 1713. Cotes added extensive commentary, corrections, and explanations to Newton's work, making it more accessible to a wider audience. He also introduced the concept of the "Cotes' theorem," which states that the range of a function is equal to the sum of the range of its odd and even parts.
Cotes also made important contributions to the field of astronomy. He designed and built the first "Gregorian" reflecting telescope, which was named after Pope Gregory XIII. This telescope used a curved mirror to reflect light, rather than a lens to refract it, and was more efficient and accurate than telescopes that were in use at the time. Cotes also made astronomical observations, including those of the planet Jupiter, which helped to improve the accuracy of astronomical tables.
Cotes was a fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge and held the position of Plumian Professor of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy at Cambridge University from 1707 until his death in 1716. He was also a devout Christian and wrote several theological works, including "The Harmony of the Divine Attribytes" and "The Search after Truth."
This book may be of interest: A History of Mathematics, (3rd Edition)
Cotes died at the age of 34, due to an illness. His work, however, had a lasting impact on mathematics and astronomy, and he is remembered as a pioneering mathematician and astronomer of his time.
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