Colin Maclaurin was one of the most distinguished of the brilliant coterie of Scottish mathematicians that marked the course of the eighteenth century. He was born at Kilmodan in Glendaruel, Argyleshire, in February, 1698, and was the youngest of a family of three sons. His father, John Maclaurin, who was minister of the parish and a man of mark in his day, died when Colin was but six weeks old. His mother, after residing for some time in Argyleshire, removed to Dumbarton, and died in 1707 when Colin was nine years of age. The orphans were taken in charge by their uncle, Daniel Maclaurin, minister of Kilfinnan, who faithfully discharged his duty to them.