William Oughtred
English mathematician and clergyman who invented the slide rule.
He is also sometimes credited with introducing the "×" symbol for multiplication, though this attribution is disputed. The abbreviations "sin" and "cos" for sine and cosine were introduced later by other mathematicians.
- known_for
- Inventing the slide rule, possible early use of the × symbol
Lore & Background
A traditional anecdote claims he died of joy at the return of King Charles II, but this is not a verified historical fact.
Reader's Guide
By using two such scales sliding by one another, he enabled direct multiplication and division, a foundational tool for calculation for centuries. His introduction of the "×" symbol for multiplication and the abbreviations "sin" and "cos" for sine and cosine became standard mathematical notation. His work Clavis Mathematica included a method for delineating sun-dials invented in his 23rd year.
Did You Know?
- He is sometimes credited with introducing the "×" symbol for multiplication, though this attribution is disputed.
- He had twelve children, two of whom, Benjamin and John, became watchmakers.
- According to an unverified anecdote, he was said to have died of joy at the knowledge of the return of King Charles II.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is William Oughtred?
William Oughtred was a 17th-century English mathematician who also served as an Anglican clergyman. He is best remembered in the history of mathematics for his work on the slide rule and early symbolic notation.
Did William Oughtred create the × multiplication symbol?
He is sometimes credited with introducing the "×" sign for multiplication, but historians of mathematics dispute this attribution. No definitive evidence confirms he was the sole originator of that particular symbol.
What was William Oughtred's role outside of mathematics?
Beyond his scholarly work, Oughtred held a position as an Anglican clergyman within the Church of England. His dual identity as both a mathematical thinker and a member of the clergy was typical for educated men of his era.
More in Mathematics And Cryptography 25-27
Elsewhere in the Mathematics And Cryptography universe
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record