Peter Guthrie Tait

Scottish mathematical physicist (1831–1901)
Person human Q742536
Peter Guthrie Tait
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Peter Guthrie Tait was a mathematician and physicist born on April 28, 1831, in Dalkeith[1][2][3][4]. A citizen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, he was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Cambridge, and Peterhouse[2]. He died on July 4, 1901, in Edinburgh[1][2][3][4] and was buried at St John's Episcopal Churchyard, Princes Street, Edinburgh[5]. He had a child named Frederick Guthrie Tait[2].

Working in the fields of mathematical physics and thermodynamics[6], Tait held academic positions at Peterhouse from 1852 to 1854[2], Queen's University Belfast from 1854 to 1860[2], and the University of Edinburgh from 1860 to 1901[2]. Over the course of his career, he received several honors, including the Smith's Prize, the Royal Medal, the Keith Medal, the Gunning Victoria Jubilee Prize, an honorary degree, and a fellowship as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh[2][7].

Peter Guthrie Tait

Summary

Peter Guthrie Tait is a human[1]. Born in Dalkeith[2], he… he was born on April 28, 1831[3]. He passed away in Edinburgh[4]. He died on July 4, 1901[5]. He worked as a mathematician[6] and physicist[7]. He ranks in the top 0.73% of human entities by monthly Wikipedia readership (136 views/month, #7,257 of 1,000,298).[8]

Key Facts

  • Peter Guthrie Tait was born in Dalkeith[2].
  • Peter Guthrie Tait died in Edinburgh[4].
  • Peter Guthrie Tait was born on April 28, 1831[3].
  • Peter Guthrie Tait died on July 4, 1901[5].
  • Burial took place at St John's Episcopal Churchyard, Princes Street, Edinburgh[9].
  • A child of Peter Guthrie Tait was Frederick Guthrie Tait[10].
  • Peter Guthrie Tait held citizenship in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland[11].
  • Peter Guthrie Tait's professions included mathematician[6].
  • Peter Guthrie Tait's professions included physicist[7].
  • Peter Guthrie Tait's field of work was mathematical physics[12].
  • Peter Guthrie Tait's field of work was thermodynamics[13].
  • Peter Guthrie Tait was employed by University of Edinburgh[14].
  • Among Peter Guthrie Tait's employers was Queen's University Belfast[15].
  • Among Peter Guthrie Tait's employers was Peterhouse[16].
  • Peter Guthrie Tait's education included a stint at University of Edinburgh[17].
  • Peter Guthrie Tait's education included a stint at Peterhouse[18].
  • Peter Guthrie Tait was educated at Edinburgh Academy[19].
  • Peter Guthrie Tait's education included a stint at University of Cambridge[20].
  • Peter Guthrie Tait's doctoral advisor was William Hopkins[21].
  • A notable student of Peter Guthrie Tait was William Peddie[22].
  • A notable student of Peter Guthrie Tait was Peter Redford Scott Lang[23].
  • A notable student of Peter Guthrie Tait was Alexander Macfarlane[24].
  • A notable work attributed to Peter Guthrie Tait is knot theory[25].
  • A notable work attributed to Peter Guthrie Tait is Tait conjectures[26].
  • A notable work attributed to Peter Guthrie Tait is Tait equation[27].

Body

Origins and Family

Peter Guthrie Tait's place of birth was Dalkeith[2]. He was born on April 28, 1831[3].

Education

Educated at University of Edinburgh[17], a public university[28], in United Kingdom[29], founded in 1583[30], headquartered in Edinburgh[31]; Peterhouse[18], a college of the University of Cambridge[32], in United Kingdom[33], founded in 1284[34]; Edinburgh Academy[19], an independent school[35], in United Kingdom[36], founded in 1824[37], headquartered in Edinburgh[38]; and University of Cambridge[20], a collegiate university[39], in United Kingdom[40], founded in 1209[41], headquartered in Cambridge[42]. Peter Guthrie Tait's doctoral advisor was William Hopkins[21].

Career and Affiliations

Recorded occupations include mathematician[6] and physicist[7]. Fields of work include mathematical physics[12], a branch of mathematics[43] and thermodynamics[13], a branch of physics[44]. Employers include University of Edinburgh[14], a public university[45], in United Kingdom[46], founded in 1583[47], headquartered in Edinburgh[48]; Queen's University Belfast[15], a public research university[49], in United Kingdom[50], founded in 1845[51]; and Peterhouse[16], a college of the University of Cambridge[52], in United Kingdom[53], founded in 1284[54]. Notable students include William Peddie[22], Peter Redford Scott Lang[23], and Alexander Macfarlane[24].

Works and Contributions

Notable works include knot theory[25], an academic discipline[55]; Tait conjectures[26]; Tait equation[27]; Ménage problem[56]; snark[57]; and Tait–Kneser theorem[58]. Things named for Peter Guthrie Tait include Tait's conjecture[59], a failed hypothesis[60].

Recognition

Awards received include Royal Medal[61], a science award[62], in United Kingdom[63], founded in 1826[64]; honorary degree[65], an award[66]; Keith Medal[67], an award[68]; Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh[69], a fellowship award[70], in United Kingdom[71]; Smith's Prize[72], a science award[73]; and Gunning Victoria Jubilee Prize[74], an award[75].

Personal Life

A child of Peter Guthrie Tait was Frederick Guthrie Tait[10].

Death and Burial

Peter Guthrie Tait died on July 4, 1901[5]. He died in Edinburgh[4]. Burial took place at St John's Episcopal Churchyard, Princes Street, Edinburgh[9].

Why It Matters

Peter Guthrie Tait ranks in the top 0.73% of human entities by monthly Wikipedia readership (136 views/month, #7,257 of 1,000,298).[8] He has Wikipedia articles in 18 language editions, a strong signal of global cultural recognition.[76] He is known by 23 alternative names across languages and contexts.[77]

He is credited with the discovery of Tait's conjecture[78], a failed hypothesis[79]. Entities named for him include Tait's conjecture[59], a failed hypothesis[60].

FAQs

Where was Peter Guthrie Tait born?

Born in Dalkeith[2], Peter Guthrie Tait…

Where did Peter Guthrie Tait die?

Peter Guthrie Tait died in Edinburgh[4].

What did Peter Guthrie Tait do for work?

Peter Guthrie Tait worked as mathematician[6] and physicist[7].

Where did Peter Guthrie Tait go to school?

Peter Guthrie Tait was educated at University of Edinburgh[17], Peterhouse[18], Edinburgh Academy[19], and University of Cambridge[20].

What awards did Peter Guthrie Tait receive?

Honors received include Royal Medal[61], honorary degree[65], Keith Medal[67], and Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh[69].

What did Peter Guthrie Tait discover?

Peter Guthrie Tait is credited as discoverer of Tait's conjecture[78].

References

Programmatic citations — every numbered marker resolves to a verifiable graph row below.

Direct Wikidata claims

  1. [2] . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.
  2. [4] . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.
  3. [11] . wikidata.org.
  4. [10] . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.
  5. [17] . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.
  6. [18] . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.
  7. [19] . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.
  8. [20] . wikidata.org.
  9. [12] . wikidata.org.
  10. [13] . Czech National Authority Database. Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  11. [6] . wikidata.org.
  12. [7] . wikidata.org.
  13. [14] . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.
  14. [15] . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.
  15. [16] . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.
  16. [9] . Find a Grave. wikidata.org.
  17. [61] . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.
  18. [65] . Queen’s University Belfast (formerly Queen’s College Belfast) Honorary Degrees 1871-2019. qub.ac.uk. Provenance: wikidata.org.
  19. [67] . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.
  20. [69] . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.
  21. [72] . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.
  22. [74] . MacTutor History of Mathematics archive. wikidata.org.
  23. [21] . Mathematics Genealogy Project. wikidata.org.
  24. [3] . BnF authorities. Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  25. [5] . BnF authorities. Retrieved . wikidata.org.
  26. [25] . wikidata.org.
  27. [26] . wikidata.org.
  28. [27] . wikidata.org.
  29. [56] . wikidata.org.
  30. [57] . wikidata.org.
  31. [58] . wikidata.org.
  32. [22] . wikidata.org.
  33. [23] . wikidata.org.
  34. [24] . wikidata.org.

Inverse relationships (entities pointing at this one)

  1. [78] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  2. [59] . wikidata.org. → on this site

Inline context (facts about related entities)

  1. [28] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  2. [29] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  3. [30] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  4. [31] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
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  7. [34] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  8. [35] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  9. [36] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
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  12. [39] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  13. [40] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  14. [41] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  15. [42] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  16. [43] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  17. [44] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  18. [45] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  19. [46] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  20. [47] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  21. [48] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  22. [49] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  23. [50] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  24. [51] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  25. [52] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  26. [53] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  27. [54] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
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  33. [70] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  34. [71] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  35. [73] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  36. [75] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  37. [55] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  38. [79] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  39. [60] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site

Class ancestry

  1. [1] . Wikidata. wikidata.org.

Aggregate / graph-position facts

  1. [8] . Wikimedia Foundation. dumps.wikimedia.org.
  2. [76] . Wikidata sitelinks. wikidata.org.
  3. [77] . Wikidata aliases. wikidata.org.

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Edit History

Rolling log of changes to this entity's Wikidata record. Values shown reflect the current state of each edited property — follow the history link to see the precise diff for any edit.

  1. 13d ago · Quesotiotyo · 2026-05-20 view diff on Wikidata ↗
    P14397 4652
    "/* wbcreateclaim-create:1| */ [[Property:P14397]]: 4652, [[:toollabs:quickstatements/#/batch/258229|batch #258229]]"
  2. 4w ago · Sj1mor · 2026-05-01 view diff on Wikidata ↗
    Plaque image Memorial plaque to Peter Guthrie Tait, St Johns Episcopal Church, Edinburgh.JPG
    "/* wbsetclaim-create:2||1 */ [[Property:P1801]]: Memorial plaque to Peter Guthrie Tait, St Johns Episcopal Church, Edinburgh.JPG"
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