Barrow, Isaac

D.D., F.R.S. An eminent English mathematician and divine, в. 1630. In 1760, he was appointed Master of Trinity College, in Cambridge University, on which occasion William III. said that he had given that office to the most learned man in England. B. was noted for his wit, as well as learning. On one occasion at court, he met the witty, but profane, Lord Rochester, q. v., who thus banteringly accosted him, "Doctor, I am yours to my shoe-tie." B. seeing his drift, ceremoniously returned his salute with, "My lord, I am yours to the ground." Rochester replied, "Doctor, I am yours to the centre;" which was capped by B. with, "My lord, I am yours to the antipodes." Upon which Rochester, disdaining to be foiled by a musty old piece of divinity, as he used to call B. , exclaimed, "Doctor, I am yours to the lowest pit of h-1." On which, B. , turning on his heel, retorted, "There, my word, I leave you." -Not only as a mathematician, but as a divine, B. ranks among the first of England's worthies. Among his works, we may mention Lectiones Mathematic a, which are esteemed as perfect models in the hands of those who are attached to sound geometrical reasoning. The best edition of his theological works is that published at London, in 8 vols. 8vo. 1830. D. 1677.