John Edward Aloysius Steggall

John Edward Aloysius Steggall (1855-1935) was born in London and attended the City of London School and Trinity College, Cambridge. He graduated Second Wrangler and was first Smith's Prizeman in 1878. He taught as Assistant Master at Clifton College for five terms before becoming Fielden Lecturer at Owens College, Manchester, from 1880-1882. In December 1882 he was appointed Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at University College, Dundee within the University of St Andrews. After university re-organisation in 1895 he continued as Professor of Pure and Applied Mathematics until his retirement in 1933.

Problem solving within and outside mathematics he dealt with in a devastating manner, deft and quick. His professional interest was in the theory of numbers and kinematical geometry but he was equally at home in physics as mathematics, was a connoisseur of music, art and architecture, a passable draughtsman and excellent photographer, woodworker and keen cyclist, a classical and linguistic scholar and he published a book on Perthshire scenery. In Dundee he was actively involved in university politics and administration, helping to set up the Students Union (1886) and serving as assessor to the University Court. He participated in city and church affairs, was co-founder of the Dundee Social Union in 1888 and a regular member of the Dundee School Board.

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