Haldane applied for the Edinburgh Chair of Mathematics which was at that time considered the most prestigious mathematics chair in Scotland. Wallace and Babbage were also applicants but Babbage stood little chance since he was an Englishman.
Haldane-apply para sa Edinburgh Chair ng Matematika kung saan ay sa panahon na isinasaalang-alang ang pinaka-prestihiyoso matematika upuan sa Scotland. Wallace at Babbage ay din ng mga aplikante ngunit Babbage stood maliit na pagkakataon mula noong siya ay isang Ingles.