Henry Moseley (mathematician) facts for kids

Henry Moseley (born July 9, 1801 – died January 20, 1872) was an English man who was a church leader, a math expert, and a scientist.

Henry Moseley's Early Life and Education

Henry Moseley was born on July 9, 1801. His father, Dr. William Willis Moseley, ran a school in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Henry went to the local grammar school when he was young. Later, when he was about fifteen or sixteen, he attended a school in Abbeville, France. For a short time, he also studied at a naval school in Portsmouth, England.

In 1819, Moseley began studying at St John's College, Cambridge. He earned his first degree in 1826, doing very well in math. He then earned a master's degree in 1836. In 1870, he received an honorary law degree.

Henry Moseley's Career and Achievements

Moseley became a church leader, first as a deacon in 1827 and then as a priest in 1828. He worked as a curate (a type of assistant priest) in West Monkton, near Taunton.

On January 20, 1831, he became a professor at King's College, London. He taught about natural science, experiments, and astronomy. He held this important job until 1844. After that, he became one of the first government inspectors for schools that trained teachers. He was also a chaplain (a priest for a specific group) at King's College for a few years.

Moseley was one of the judges at the International Exhibition of 1851. This was a huge event that showed off new inventions and art from around the world. There, he met Albert, Prince Consort, who was Queen Victoria's husband.

In 1853, Moseley became a canon (a senior priest) at Bristol Cathedral. The next year, he became the vicar (the main priest) of Olveston in Gloucestershire. In 1855, he was appointed a chaplain to the Queen.

Moseley was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1839. This is a very respected group of scientists. He was also a member of other important groups, including the Council of Military Education. He passed away in Olveston on January 20, 1872.

Henry Moseley's Scientific Works and Books

Moseley wrote his first paper when he was still in Portsmouth. It was about how to measure the depth of craters on the Moon. His first book, A Treatise on Hydrostatics, was published in 1830. Hydrostatics is the study of how liquids behave when they are still.

His most important works included:

• Lectures on Astronomy (1839): These were talks he gave as a professor at King's College.
• An article called "Definite Integrals" (1837): This was for a large encyclopedia.
• The Mechanical Principles of Engineering and Architecture (1843): This book was very important. It was even used as a textbook at West Point, a famous military academy in America. It was also translated into German.

Moseley developed special formulas that became standard for calculating how stable warships are in the water. This work was first shared in a paper in 1850. It helped engineers design safer ships.

He also published other books, such as:

• A Treatise on Mechanics, applied to the Arts, including Statics and Hydrostatics (1834): This book explained how mechanics (the study of motion and forces) applies to different crafts and jobs.
• Illustrations of Mechanics (1839): This book likely had examples to help people understand mechanics.
• Astro-Theology (1851): This book explored how the changes in the sky and space show God's wisdom and goodness. It was a popular book that connected science with religious ideas.

Moseley wrote about 35 scientific papers. These papers appeared in various science magazines and journals. He even developed a theory about how glaciers move. He thought they might move in a similar way to how the lead roof of Bristol Cathedral moved when the temperature changed.

Henry Moseley's Family

On April 23, 1835, Henry Moseley married Harriet Nottidge. Their son, Henry Nottidge Moseley, also became a well-known scientist.

See also

• Astrotheology