Was born in February 1698 (June 1746) in Kilmodan, Argyll. His father, John Maclaurin, died when Maclaurin was in infancy, and his mother died before he reached nine years of age. He was then educated under the care of his uncle, the Reverend Daniel Maclaurin.

He graduated from the University of Glasgow, in which he entered at the age of 12 years. Disciple of Isaac Newton.

Professor, University of Edinburgh (from 1726).

Main research focus on mathematical analysis and geometry. One of the first was adopted and began to develop a mathematical analysis. Wrote a paper "Theory of Fluxions" (1742), which proved a series of guidelines and theorems of analysis, decided some problems of geometry, mechanics, and astronomy. Found the integral sign of convergence of numerical series and summation formula. Also published a book on the expansion of functions in power series and a treatise on algebra. In "Organic Geometry" (1719) developed the ideas of Newton on generating complex curves with simple, while he used the coordinate method of Descartes. The author of "Commentary" to "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy" Nyutona.