Henry Reade (FRS) facts for kids

Henry Reade (born around 1716, died 1762) was an important English scholar and government worker. He became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1748, which is a big honor for scientists and thinkers.

Henry Reade's Early Life and Education

Henry Reade was the son of Unton Reade, who was a rector (a type of church leader) in Shilling Okeford. Henry went to a famous school called Eton College.

After Eton, he went to Queens' College, Cambridge in 1736. He studied hard and earned his first degree (B.A.) in 1739. He then got his master's degree (M.A.) in 1743. In 1744, he became a Fellow of the college. This meant he was a senior member of the college, often involved in teaching and research.

A Teacher at Eton

In 1741, Henry Reade worked as an assistant teacher at Eton College. He stayed in touch with his old friends from school. One of his friends was George Selwyn, who had left Eton a few years earlier.

Later, Henry Reade became a private tutor. He taught the sons of the 9th Earl of Lincoln. This Earl was related to a very powerful politician, the Duke of Newcastle.

Working for the Government

Because of his connection to the Duke of Newcastle, Henry Reade got a job in the government. He started working for the Taxes Board. This board was in charge of collecting taxes for the country.

Roles in the Exchequer

From 1752, Henry Reade held several important jobs within the Exchequer. The Exchequer was the government department that managed the country's money. One of his main roles was Chief Clerk of the Bill Office. He stopped being a Fellow at Cambridge around 1755.

Henry Reade played a big part in changing the window tax. This was a tax based on the number of windows a house had. The money from this tax helped pay for the Seven Years' War. The Duke of Newcastle, who was Prime Minister at the time, increased this tax in 1758 and again in 1761.

Important Societies

Henry Reade was recognized for his knowledge and work. On January 21, 1748, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very old and respected group for people who are good at science and learning.

He also became a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London on October 19, 1749. This society focuses on studying history and old things. Henry Reade passed away on December 13, 1762.