William Neile

views updated

William Neile

1637-1670

English mathematician who studied mathematics at Oxford, and then law at the Middle Temple in London. He went on to become a member of Charles II's privy council. Neile was the first person to find the arc length of an algebraic curve. He studied the theory of motion, and made many astronomical observations from the roof of his father's house. Neile was one of the first members of the British Royal Society.