A Grave Matter

Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh, Scotland

This post honors Colin Maclaurin who died 280 years ago today (June 14, 1746) at the age of only 48. I first visited his grave - or tried to - ten years ago, but I only found a memorial tablet. It was only on my most recent trip to the UK that I actually saw his grave. In the post for that first visit, which can be found at this link, I shared quite a bit about his life. In this post I'll be focusing on his tombstone and on the comfort found in the words on his memorial.

Colin Maclaurin Memorial Tablet, Greyfriars Kirkyard

My first visit was rushed. I had about a month's worth of math-history related things to do and only five days in which to do them, so I hurried into Greyfriars Kirkyard as evening fell and temperatures were dropping - not knowing when closing time was, and unsure if I might get locked in overnight. I finally found the memorial tablet, which is the top right plaque on the south-western exterior of the church. 

Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh, Scotland

What I didn't notice, as I stood tip-toe to read the plaque, is that Maclaurin's I was standing, unseeing, right next to Maclaurin's actual burial site. I had probably stepped around it to get a better view of the memorial. Directly below his memorial tablet in the picture above, you can see a table stone, which is his gravestone. Below is a closer view.

Colin Maclaurin's Grave, Greyfriars Kirkyard

I feel a little silly at my oversight as I reflect on that first visit, but to be fair, I was rushed and more than a little scared. My focus was up high, not down low, and, even if I had been looking down, the inscription is incredibly faded. It is also quite minimal, having only the initials C. M. and his year of birth and death given in Roman Numerals.

Colin Maclaurin's Tombstone, Greyfriars Kirkyard

Colin Maclaurin's Tombstone, Greyfriars Kirkyard

Now that we've taken a look at his tombstone, I want to go back to his memorial, but only after sharing a few pictures of the kirkyard, which is often said to be the most haunted graveyard in the world.

Detail of Funerary Art, Greyfriars Kirlyard, Edinburgh

Detail of Funerary Art, Greyfriars Kirlyard, Edinburgh

Detail of Funerary Art, Greyfriars Kirlyard, Edinburgh

Detail of Funerary Art, Greyfriars Kirlyard, Edinburgh

Detail of Funerary Art, Greyfriars Kirlyard, Edinburgh

Detail of Funerary Art, Greyfriars Kirlyard, Edinburgh

Detail of Funerary Art, Greyfriars Kirlyard, Edinburgh

I share the pictures above in order to highlight the words on his memorial.

Colin Maclaurin Memorial Tablet, Greyfriars, Edinburgh

The words of this memorial not only honor Maclaurin but are also intended to bring comfort to those visiting here. I'll give these words first in the Latin and then in English:

***

Infra situs est Colin Maclaurin Mathes olim in Acad. Edin. Prof. Electus ipso Newtono suadente. h.l.p.f. Non ut nomini paterno consulat. Nam tali auxilio nil eget. Sed ut in hoc infelici campo. Ubi Luctus regnant et Pavor. Mortalibus prorsus non absit Solatium. Hujus enim scripta evolve. Mentemque tantarum rerum capacem. Corpori caduco superstitem crede.

***

Here lies Colin Maclaurin, once Professor of Mathematics at the University of Edinburgh, chosen for that post at the urging of Newton himself.

This memorial was erected not to preserve a fame that needs no preservation, but that in this sorrowful place, where grief and fear hold sway, visitors might find some comfort.

Read his works. Reflect upon a mind capable of such achievements, and believe that it survives the frail body that once contained it. Then consolation will not be far away.