The first Mathematics Master
This was Mr T Miller who held the post from 1833 to 1836
Dr Lonie
The "much esteemed" Dr Lonie was Mathematics Master from around 1848 to 1889. "When work in mathematics was slow moving Mr Lonie used to stop the class, sing 'Cheer, boys, cheer' loudly and carry on with the lesson."
In 1848 it is recorded that Mr Lonie altered the timetable moving his Geometry class from 12noon to 6am
The cost of Arithmetic
In 1864 the parents of girls who were not happy to expose their maturing daughters to the rigours of open classes were offered "sheltered schooling" . The first timetable gives Arithmetic: 11-12noon , the cost being 8 shillings and sixpence per quarter.
Prizes
The Trustees provided £50 annually for book prizes. But in 1868 Mr Tullis of Auchtermuchty made an endowment the income from which bought the highly valued gold medal for mathematics.
The most spectacular competition however was for the knife. This was awarded for sharpness in mental arithmetic and was usually a mother-of-pearl handled pen-knife suitably inscribed. Here is a description by Lord Sands of this contest:
"Several posers were put in succession. After each had been propounded the boys competing were expected to put down the answers on their slates. Having done so, the boy plunked down his slate on an open space in front of the class. Then the next and the next piled up their slates. When all the slates were thus planted the heap was lifted up and turned over so that the slate put down first was on top. The slates were examined in their order until a correct solution was found.
The earliest known inspection of the Mathematics Department
In the 1870s the Trustees started to employ external examiners, Cambridge Dons, Advocates from Edinburgh or local Professors. In 1871 it is recorded that Robert Walker, Fellow of Clare College, examined the work in mathematics and arithmetic.
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