William Payne (mathematician)

William Payne (unknown – c. 1779) was an English mathematician^[1] and the author of books about mathematics, draughts, and whist. Payne was the brother of prominent London bookseller Thomas Payne, who sold his works and published some of them.^[1][2][3]

Payne's first book, An Introduction to the Game of Draughts, was published in 1756.^[1][2] The dedication and preface were written by Samuel Johnson.^[2][3]

Payne's second book, An Introduction to Geometry: Containing the Most Useful Propositions in Euclid, & Other Authors, was published in 1767.^[4]

The book Maxims for Playing the Game of Whist; With All Necessary Calculations, and Laws of the Game was published anonymously in 1773; published by his brother Thomas, it is believed to have been written by William Payne.^[5]