Nicholas Sanderson (or Saunderson) was born in 1682 near Penistone, Yorks. He lost his sight at the age of one through smallpox. Came to Cambridge in 1707. Though not admitted to the College he lodged there. His enthusiasm for mathematics, especially as expounded by Newton, got him friends. The Lucasian Professor (Whiston) allowed him to give some of his lectures. When Whiston was removed for his Arian proclivities Sanderson seemed the obvious replacement for the Lucasian Chair, but he lacked the MA degree. He was awarded a mandated degree by the Queen on 19th Nov 1711 and was made Lucasian Professor the next day! He was one of the very few who lectured in Newtonian Algebra. His "Algebra" was published in 1740 after his death in 1739. See also cc00519 and cc00520.
