Hamilton Day 2018 Review
18 October 2018This year we were honoured to have Fields Medallist Martin Hairer with us to celebrate Hamilton Day, commemorating famed mathematician William Rowan Hamilton's 'Eureka moment'.
THE ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY IS IRELAND'S LEADING BODY OF EXPERTS IN THE SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES
The Royal Irish Academy/Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann champions research. We identify and recognise Ireland’s world class researchers. We support scholarship and promote awareness of how science and the humanities enrich our lives and benefit society. We believe that good research needs to be promoted, sustained and communicated. The Academy is run by a Council of its members. Membership is by election and considered the highest Academic honour in Ireland.
Read more about the RIAHamilton Day
Hamilton Day commemorates a groundbreaking discovery by Ireland’s most famous scientist. On 16 October 1843, William Rowan Hamilton discovered quaternion algebra, while walking along the Royal Canal from Dunsink Observatory to the Royal Irish Academy (RIA). This was one of those very rare Eureka moments in the history of science. So excited was he by his discovery that he scratched his equation on the wall of Broome Bridge, Cabra.
Hamilton Prize
Every year the nine best students of mathematics are awarded the Hamilton prize. Mathematics departments in Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, Dublin City University, University College Cork, NUI Galway, Maynooth University, University of Limerick, Dublin Institute of Technology and Queen's University Belfast are invited to nominate their "best" student in the penultimate year of undergraduate mathematical studies for the prize.
A Celebration
Each year the RIA celebrates Hamilton’s life and contribution to mathematics by holding Hamilton Day to coincide with the anniversary of Hamilton’s discovery in October 1843. The day includes an award ceremony to recognise the most gifted third level mathematics students in Ireland; a masterclass for early-career researchers; a public discussion on a topical issue and the day concludes with the Hamilton lecture which is given by an internationally renowned speaker.
Latest Hamilton Day News and Events
Hamilton 'Eureka Moment' Art Commission
16 July 2018The RIA, in partnership with TII and DIT, is seeking expressions of interest to participate in an art commission to commemorate the 'Eureka Moment' of the famous Irish mathematician, William Rowan Hamilton.
When
16 October 2018
To celebrate William Rowan Hamilton's life and contribution to mathematics, we present the annual Hamilton Lecture given by Professor Martin Hairer (Imperial College London).
Previous Hamilton Days
Past Hamilton Day speakers have included Roger Penrose, Robert Merton, Cédric Villani, Lisa Randall and Frank Wilczek. A complete list of all Hamilton Day speakers can be viewed here. See below for more details on our past Hamilton Day events.
Hamilton Day 2017 »
Hamilton Day 2016 »
Hamilton Day 2015 »
Hamilton Day 2014 »
Hamilton Day 2013 »
Hamilton Day 2012 »
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