Abraham

1725 · réf. 153270 — London: Printed by W. P. and sold by Francis Fayram Benj. Motte W. Pearson 1725. Life expectancy as probability First edition of a founding work of actuarial science de Moivre's influential study of annuities based upon the mortality statistics gathered in the 1690s by Edmund Halley. De Moivre was perhaps the first to develop probability theory extensively and the first to use probability theory to write a comprehensive work on life contingencies. In Annuities upon Lives de Moivre formulated that among a body of persons over a certain age the successive annual decreases by death are nearly equal. He applied the theory of probability to the systematic investigation of problems concerning annuities upon lives. "De Moivre's contribution to annuities lies not in his evaluation of the demographic facts then known but on his derivation of formulas for annuities based on a postulated law of mortality and constant rates on money. Here one finds the treatment of joint annuities on several lives the inheritance of annuities problems about the fair division of the costs of a tontine and other contracts in which both age and interest on capital are relevant. This mathematics became a standard part of all subsequent commercial applications in England" Ian Hacking in the Dictionary of Scientific Biography. The work is bound with five others: i YORKE Charles. Some considerations on the law of forfeiture for high treason. The third edition further corrected and enlarged. London: J. and J. Rivington 1748. Yorke's principal legal work first published in 1745 when his father was Lord Chancellor and is a defence of one of his father's judgments against the Young Pretender. ii STORY Joseph. An essay concerning the nature of the priesthood. Dublin: George Faulkner 1749. First edition. iii ROBINSON Christopher. Considerations on the late bill for payment of the remainder of the national debt in which the occasion of inserting the clause relative to His Majesty's consent and The Arguments in Support of such Right in the Crown are impartially stated. Dublin: n.p 1754. First Dublin edition published in London the same year. iv ROBINSON Christopher. A short essay on the publick judgments of the Romans. Dublin: n.p 1739. First edition. v Anonymous. Considerations on the case of the bakers in Dublin. Dublin: Printed for George and Alexander Ewing 1757. Later edition first published 1752. Six works bound in a single vol. octavo 197 x 120 mm. Contemporary half calf spine lettered in gilt paper sides. Contemporary manuscript contents list to front pastedown early bookplate of Wolfe De Forenaughts to same crossed out early ownership inscription to title page of the first pamphlet. Slight rubbing superficial splits along joints contents fresh. A very good copy. ESTC T33056; Garrison & Morton 1690; Hanson 3492; Institute of Actuaries p. 39; Kress 3595; Norman 1530; McCulloch p. 250; not in Goldsmiths'. unknown