Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Adrain, Robert

ADRAIN, Robert, mathematician, b. in Carrickfergus, Ireland, 30 Sept., 1775; d. in New Brunswick, N. J., 10 Aug., 1843. He took part in the Irish rebellion of 1798, received a severe wound, and escaped to America. He taught school in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, contributed to scientific journals, and from 1810 to 1813 was professor of natural philosophy and mathematics in Rutgers college, then until 1825 in Columbia college, and from 1827 to 1834 was professor of mathematics in the university of Pennsylvania. He edited Hutton's “Mathematics,” published essays on the figure and magnitude of the earth and on gravity, and was editor from 1825 to 1829 of the “Mathematical Diary.” — His son, Garnett B., lawyer, b. in New York city, 20 Dec., 1816; d. in New Brunswick, N. J., 17 Aug., 1878. He was graduated at Rutgers college in 1833, and in 1837 was admitted to the bar. He was elected to congress from New Jersey in 1856, and reëlected in 1858, serving in the house as chairman of the committee on engraving.