Duncan Mathematical Prize
The Duncan Testimonial Fund and Mathematics Prize was established in 1858 by an unknown number of well-wishers, in memory of Thomas Duncan (c.1777-1858), Professor of Mathematics at the University of St Andrews from 1820.
Thomas Duncan was the son of John Duncan, who farmed at Dunino, near St Andrews, and Anne Foggie. Thomas Duncan studied at both the United College and St Mary’s College, at the University of St Andrews, in the 1790s. He spent four years as assistant to the Professor of Mathematics (Nicolas Vilant), before becoming Rector of Dundee Academy in 1802. In 1820, he returned to St Andrews as Professor of Mathematics. He lived on South Street, and was known to bring his dog to class. He never married.
The fund raised sufficient money to acquire ‘ground annuals’ on land in south Bell Street, St Andrews, which generated an income of just over £14 a year. This was to be used for one annual Mathematics Prize to be given to the student with the best results in a competition organised by the Professor of Mathematics, for those students who had already completed at least the second and third mathematical classes, during two separate sessions.
The trustees were Sir Hugh Lyon Playfair (provost of St Andrews), Reverend Dr John Cook (minister of St Leonards, and future professor at the University), Patrick Anderson (merchant in Dundee), and their successors.
Among the class medals in the University Collections, there is the medal awarded to the Duncan prize winner of 1923.