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{{short description|British scientist (1707–1751)}}{{Use British English|date=August 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
'''Benjamin Robins''' (1707{{snd}}29 July 1751) was a pioneering British scientist, [[mathematics|Newtonian mathematician]], and military engineer.

He wrote an influential treatise on gunnery, for the first time introducing Newtonian science to military men, was an early enthusiast for [[rifling|rifled]] gun barrels, and his work had substantive influence on the development of artillery during the latter half of the eighteenth century – and directly stimulated the teaching of calculus in military academies.

==Early life==
Benjamin Robins was born in [[Bath, Somerset|Bath]].<ref name="br-newdetails">{{cite journal|title = Benjamin Robins, F.R.S. (1707–1751: New Details of His Life|author1 = Johnson, W.|journal = Notes and Records of the Royal Society of London|volume = 46|issue = 2|date = July 1992|pages = 235–252 | publisher = Royal Society | jstor = 531636 | doi=10.1098/rsnr.1992.0024|s2cid = 71424677}}</ref> His parents were [[Religious Society of Friends|Quakers]] in poor circumstances, and as a result, he received very little formal education.<ref name="br-newdetails"/> Having come to London on the advice of Dr. [[Henry Pemberton]] (1694–1771), who had recognised Robins's talents,<ref name="br-newdetails" /> for a time he maintained himself by teaching [[mathematics]], but soon devoted himself to engineering and the study of fortification.<ref name="EB1911">{{EB1911|inline=1|wstitle=Robins, Benjamin|volume=23|page=422| }}</ref>

==Scientific gunnery==
[[File:Benjamin Robins.png|thumb]]
In particular he carried out an extensive series of experiments in gunnery, embodying his results in his famous treatise on ''New Principles of Gunnery'' (1742),<ref>{{cite web | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=3j8FAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA1 | title  = New Principles of Gunnery: Containing the Determination of the Force of Gun-powder, and an Investigation of the Difference in the Resisting Power of the Air to Swift and Slow Motions. With Several Other Tracts on the Improvement of Practical Gunnery | first1 = Benjamin | last1  = Robins |  date = 1742}}</ref> which contains a description of his [[ballistic pendulum]] (see [[gun chronograph|chronograph]]).<ref name="EB1911"/>

Robins also made a number of important experiments on the resistance of the air to the motion of projectiles,<ref>
 {{cite web | url = http://www.aviationearth.com/aircraft-theory/wind-tunnel/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100906073554/http://www.aviationearth.com/aircraft-theory/wind-tunnel/ | archive-date=6 September 2010| title = Wind Tunnel : Planes, Flying and Aviation | author = Staff writer | work = Aviation Earth | date = 2009 | quote = English military Engineer and mathematician Benjamin Robins (1707–1751) invented a whirling arm apparatus to determine drag and did some of the first experiments in aviation theory. | access-date = 7 March 2016}}</ref><ref>[http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-12/WindTunnel/history.html "Wind Tunnels of NASA"], Donald D. Baals and William R. Corliss</ref><ref>{{Citation | last = Steele | first = Brett | title = Muskets and Pendulums: Benjamin Robins, Leonhard Euler, and the Ballistics Revolution | publisher=[[The Johns Hopkins University Press]] | location = Baltimore |date=April 1994 | volume = 35 | pages = 348–382 | issn = 0040-165X | jstor = 3106305 | issue = 2 | journal=Technology and Culture | doi=10.2307/3106305}}</ref> and on the force of [[gunpowder]], with computation of the velocities thereby communicated to projectiles. He compared the results of his theory with experimental determinations of the ranges of mortars and cannon, and gave practical maxims for the management of [[artillery]]. He also made observations on the flight of [[rocket]]s, and wrote on the advantages of rifled gun barrels. His work on gunnery was translated into German by [[Leonhard Euler]], who added a critical commentary of his own.<ref name="EB1911"/> However, the work of Robins still served as an important piece of technical information that helped the later advancement of the Prussian artillery, especially of its improvement in accuracy, a big step forwards that the book turned out to be a shot in the arm of the ambitious [[Frederick the Great]] who determined to vault the status and power of Prussian artillery to the top among other European armies.

==Mathematics==
Of less interest nowadays are Robins's more purely mathematical writings, such as his ''Discourse concerning the Nature and Certainty of Sir [[Isaac Newton]]'s Methods of Fluxions and of Prime and Ultimate Ratios'' (1735), ''A Demonstration of the Eleventh Proposition of Sir Isaac Newton's Treatise of Quadratures'' (Phil. Trans., 1727),<ref>
{{cite journal | title = Demonstration of the 11th Proposition of Sir Isaac Newton's Treatise of Quadratures. By Mr. Benjamin Robins, A | author1 = Robins, Benjamin | author2 = Newton, Isaac | journal = Philosophical Transactions | year = 1726 | volume = 34 | pages = 230–236 | publisher = Royal Society | jstor = 103483 | bibcode = 1726RSPT...34..230R }}</ref> and similar works.<ref name="EB1911"/>

==Politics==
Besides his scientific labours, Robins took an active part in politics. He wrote pamphlets in support of the opposition to Sir [[Robert Walpole]], and was secretary of a committee appointed by the [[British House of Commons|House of Commons]] to enquire into the conduct of that minister. He also wrote a preface to the ''Report on the Proceedings of the Board of General Officers on their Examination into the Conduct of Lieutenant-General [[John Cope (British Army officer)|Sir John Cope]]'', in which he gave an apology for the [[battle of Prestonpans]].<ref name="EB1911"/>

In 1749, he was appointed engineer general to the [[British East India Company|East India Company]], and went out to superintend the reconstruction of their [[fort]]s. However, his health soon failed, and he died at [[Fort St David]] in India. His works were published in two volumes in 1761.<ref name="EB1911"/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
*{{Cite DNB|wstitle = Robins, Benjamin|volume=48}}
*{{cite ODNB|first=Brett D.|last= Steele|title = Robins, Benjamin (1707–1751)|id=23823}}
* {{MacTutor Biography|id=Robins}}
{{Copley Medallists 1731–1750}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Robins, Benjamin}}
[[Category:1707 births]]
[[Category:1751 deaths]]
[[Category:Scientists from Bath, Somerset]]
[[Category:18th-century English engineers]]
[[Category:Ballistics experts]]
[[Category:18th-century English people]]
[[Category:18th-century English mathematicians]]
[[Category:Fellows of the Royal Society]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Copley Medal]]
[[Category:British East India Company people]]