XVI 
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF ARTHUR CAYLEY. 
of a professorship, to be called the Sadlerian Professorship of Pure Mathematics: the subjects 
duty of the professor was “to explain and teach the principles of pure mathematics, dynamics 
and to apply himself to the advancement of that science.” The proposal was approved Abelian 
by the Senate on 3rd December, 1857, and the new statute was sanctioned by an Order as ann0l 
of the Queen in Council on 7th March, 1860. Some time had to elapse before certain a p cases 
provisional arrangements could be completed, and it was not until after three years Thus a < 
that the University was in a position to act. i n 1879, 
On 10th June, 1863, Cayley was elected Sadlerian professor: he held the chair for Schwarz’i 
the rest of his life. The stipend attached to the professorship was modest, though it 
was improved in the course of subsequent legislation; these changes, however, could room • t 
not have been foreseen at the time when Cayley was elected. Yet he had no hesitation written 
about returning to Cambridge: for the post enabled him to devote his life to the writin 
pursuit he liked best. He never showed the slightest regret at having neglected the ag g j 
prospects of distinction at the bar, or at having chosen to return to his University; came i 
and he always expressed perfect satisfaction and content with his life in Cambridge, uge ^ 
which was one of great happiness. pj g 0 j^ e 
His appointment as Sadlerian professor marks a turning point in his life. Hence- board 
forward he lived, for the most part, in the quiet of the University; yet it was by no g ^ ag 
means in seclusion, for he took his share in administration, which claims a part (often were ma 
too large a part) of the leisure of men fitted for this necessary duty. But he was regions ; 
not burdened by heavy claims arising out of his official position: and he was directed 
by the statutes governing him to do what was, as a matter of fact, his ideal in life. influence' 
No man could have been better suited than Cayley was to fulfil the charge of the 
, . , . , , . „ J i i ■ i i- most pai 
statutes: his knowledge and his power oi research pointed him out as the obvious whom h 
choice of the electors. influence 
He settled in Cambridge at once. On 8th September, 1863, he married Susan, beyond 
daughter of Robert Moline, of Greenwich. This is not the place to dwell upon his graduate 
domestic life; but it is impossible to omit in silence all reference to its singular matter i 
happiness, based upon the affection felt by its members for one another. Friends and inspiring- 
visitors who have been in that home will not soon forget the kindness and the gracious partly to 
courtesy of the welcome they received, or the atmosphere of peace into which they suggestiv 
were raised. Sometimes in the old garden by the river-side, more often in the drawing- p- g e 
room, the talk went on; the professor himself listening, attentive and watchful, frequently found in 
taking only a slight share, but ever ready to join in. No cynicism or paradox in wag e 
speech was ventured upon in his presence; no harshness of judgment was tolerated which h< 
without a quiet protest; no sense of bustle or ambition was felt there; in all things occasiona 
the charm of an old-world home, centred round him. His widow and their two children, qq ie ne ^ 
Mary and Henry, remain to mourn their loss. memoir; 
His teaching duty was limited to the delivery of one course of lectures in the distinct 
academic year, and he usually chose the Michaelmas term. This practice was maintained 1 
for twenty-three years until he was placed under the new statutes, which in 1882 ^lp Qr 
had come into operation so far as concerned all future appointments. After that ^j ie p ene 
change, he delivered two courses of lectures, one in the Michaelmas term, the other maticiam 
in the Lent term. An inspection of the list of his lectures* shows that he chose his 
* The list is given on pp. xlv, xlvi.