Scarborough, Sir Charles

, an eminent physician and mathematician, was born about 1616. After the usual classical education he was admitted of Caius college, Cambridge, in 1632, and took his first degree in arts in 1636. He was then elected to a fellowship, and commencing A. M. in 1640, he took pupils. In the mean time, intending to pursue medicine as his profession, he applied himself to all the preparatory studies necessary for that art. Mathematics constituted one of these studies: and the prosecution of this science having obtained him the acquaintance of Mr. (afterwards bishop) Seth Ward, then of Emanuel college, they mutually assisted each other in their researches. Having met with some difficulties in Mr. Ougbtred’s “Clavis Mathematical which appeared to them insuperable, they made a joint visit to the author, then at his living of Aldbury, in Surrey. Mr. Oughtred (See Oughtred) treated them with great politeness, being much gratified to see these ingenious young men apply so zealously to these studies, and in a short time fully resolved all their questions. They returned to Cambridge complete masters of that excellent treatise, and were the first that read lectures upon it there. In the ensuing civil wars, Mr. Scarborough became likewise a joint sufferer with his fellow-student for the royal cause, being ejected from his fellowship at Caius. Upon this reverse of fortune he withdrew to Oxford, and entering himself at Merton college, was incorporated A.M. of that university, 23d of June, 1646. The celebrated Dr. Harvey was then warden of that college, and being employed in writing his treatise” De Generatione Animaiium,“gladly accepted the assistance of Mr. Scarborough. The latter also became acquainted with sir Christopher Wren, then a gentleman | commoner of Wadham college, and engaged him to translate” Oughtred’s Geometrical Dialling" into Latin, which was printed in 1649.

Upon leaving Oxford, and taking the degree of doctor of physic, Dr. Scarborough settled in the metropolis, where he practised with great reputation. In the College of Physicians, of which he was a fellow, he was particularly respected as a man of uncommon talents; and, in 1658, by the special appointment of the president, he introduced, with an elegant Latin speech, the marquis of Dorchester for his admission into the college that year. In the mean time Dr. Scarborough began to read his highly celebrated anatomical lectures at Surgeons’ Hall, which he continued for sixteen or seventeen years, and was the first who introduced geometrical and mechanical reasonings upon the muscles.

Such extraordinary merit did not escape the notice of king Charles II., who conferred on him the order of knighthood in 1669, and at the same time appointed him his principal physician. He was nominated to the same honourable office by his majesty’s brother, which he held both before and after his accession to the throne; and he also served king William in the same capacity. He was likewise appointed physician to the Tower of London, and held that office till his death, which occurred about 1696. Sir Charles Scarborough was married and left a son, who was created doctor of civil law at Oxford, in August 1702. In 1705, this gentleman printed in folio, from his father’s manuscript, “An English Translation of Euclid’s Elements, with excellent explanatory notes.” Sir Charles also wrote <c A Treatise upon Trigonometry;“”A Compendium of Lily’s Grammar;“and” An Elegy on Mr. Abraham. Cowley." ¹