In Edinburgh on Thursday the personal library of the world-famous Scottish mathematician James Stirling was sold by auctioneers, Lyon & Turnbull.
Stirling made significant contributions to mathematics in the fields of infinitesimal calculus and infinite series. He gave his name to two major innovations, Stirling’s formula and Stirling numbers.
As well as being a personal friend of Sir Isaac Newton, the founder of universal gravitation, he was one of the first Newtonian mathematicians, developing and expanding Newton’s work.
The mathematician died in Edinburgh in December 1770 at the age of 78 and he is buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard.
The sale was conducted live in the auction room and online and the library was sold for almost £817,000.
Cathy Tait, Head of Books & Rare Manuscripts with Lyon & Turnbull said: “We are absolutely delighted with the results of the auction of the library of James Stirling.
“Stirling was one of the most influential Scottish mathematicians of the eighteenth century, corresponding with key scientists and mathematicians of the Enlightenment era.
“It has been an honour to work with his books, scientific instruments and manuscripts in the sale.”
Highlights of the sale included:
- Stirling’s own exceptionally rare first edition of Sir Isaac Newton’s ANALYSIS Per Quantitatum SERIES, FLUXIONES, AC DIFFERENTIAS. Sold for £100,800.
- Stirling’s own copy of Newton’s Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica, generally considered to be the most important scientific book ever published. Sold for £42,840.
- A manuscript handwritten by James Stirling in 1730 of his principal and most famous work, the Methodus Differentialis. Sold for £50,400.
- An exceptionally rare Scottish silver ‘pocket microscope’ in a George II case made by Edinburgh-based John Clark, dated between 1749 and 1754. Sold for £42,840.
- A first edition of Sir William Stirling-Maxwell’s 1848 Annals of the Artists of Spain, described as ‘the first art-historical work illustrated by photography’ presentation copy from the author. Sold for £27,720.
PHOTO credit © Stewart Attwood Photography 2025.
Rare Scientific Instruments from Library of James Stirling – Image James Robertson Photography
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
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