New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-22
Az ECCENTRIC GENUS.
OLIVER HEAvYsrDEs, ENGIAND's MA HEMAr1
CAL HERMIT

OLIVER HEAvYsiDEs ENGLAND's MA HEMATI-
CAL HERMIT.
From The Washington Star
For pure eccentricity of character Oliver
Heavysdes the great English mathematician.
stands without a peer. He IS recognized as a
great savant by Lord Kelvin Mascart and men
Of that class He has been called the intellect
ual successor Of Maxwell ard his achievements
in the science Of advanced mathematics seem
10 bear out the justice OF this appellation. But
no one ever sees him. He has not been visible
q the general public since his retirement from
the Government service years ago.
once when Sir John Fender was rurrins The
London Electrician" he received . cOmmunica-
ton from a comparatively unknown man which
not only arrested his attention. but caused him
TO think that here. al last, must be genius in
the world Of mathematics. The cOmmunica ton
was published and caused some little comment
in the scientific world. II az once stamped It's
author as a man we'll worthy Of the consdera-
ton Of scientists. ana the paper began receiving
communications asking for Information con-
corning this new light Sir John Fender was
unable 10 answer these correspondents lie did
not himself know who the writer was. Tho
original communication had been sent through
uscript except that the editor was asked 70
please send any remuneration 20 cert ain
grocery store" I'm nearby district. The Editor
Of The Electrician" sent the said "remunera-
ton 70 the grocery store. so named. and the
practice has been in vos-e ever since.
IN all the wears thai Heavysdes has been
writing for The Electrician he has never been
in the Office OF the paper None Of the staff
know him by sight. None know whether he Is
married OF single where NJ lives. or what he
eats, or anything else Of personal nature con-
corning him he IS simply secretiveness person
ihed An incident Illustrating this is told IN
English scientific circles.
II was known that the mathematician had no
income except the rather limited one which he
received for his weekly article 10 The Electr-
clan. Several n The scientific men Of ENGLAND.
in admiration for his great talent determined 10
give him pension. But how 10 get him 10 &C
cept il was question Communications on the
subject. boy means ~ the crocery-stOre postoffce.
remained unanswered. and other little incidents
which cropped ont during the correspondence
showed that Hoavysdes was annoyed by the
proposition \ scheme was then put on foot 10
compel him 20 accept the peTson. letter was
written 20 him in which IL said that his
residence had been found out at last. and that
II he did not at once accept this pension dele
CATION composed Of the leading scientific men OF
London would march 10 his house and present r.
10 him in person Evidently this 10 him
4 fearful threat and ne believed II 10 be true. for
he wrote back stating that he would accept the
pension II the delegation would stay away. He
has been receiving IL ever since and II is tondly
believed by his friends. who have never seen
him that he IS now living In comfort.
No biography has ever been written about this
very queer man except In the most fragmen-
,erv manner as facts concerning his life have
cronned out No picture OF him has ever been
len and therefore no description OF the man
can he given Whether ne is schoo-bred or not
no one knows, but that ne is giant
IN his particular hobby cannot be gainsaid.
10 10 p savant OF the highest order. and
few people who fall short OF his own caliore
nre able a. read his books II Is said
that only Elk people in the worid are really
able 10 understand them az hrst hand. heavy
sides is so thoroughly a Mathematician that he
invents new systems Of mathematics as ne goes
along In writing hook he VIII develop new
theory and explain II by means OF Iilatheihhtcs
OF his own invention. so 10 speak. After ne mas
nroceeded FOR FIVE or six chapters In this man
ner he will state that now / VIII explain the