John Hewitt Jellett facts for kids

John Hewitt Jellett was an important Irish mathematician. He worked at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) for his whole career. He even became the head of the college, called the Provost. He was also a priest in the Church of Ireland.

Early Life and Family

John Hewitt Jellett was born in Cashel, County Tipperary, on December 25, 1817. His father was Rev. Morgan Jellett. John went to school at Kilkenny College. Later, he studied at Trinity College Dublin (TCD). He became a fellow at TCD in 1840.

John had two younger brothers. One was Hewitt Poole Jellett, who was a lawyer and judge. The other was Henry Jellett, who was also a priest.

His Family Life

In 1855, John Hewitt Jellett married his cousin, Dorothea Charlotte Morris Morgan. They had seven children together.

Some of his children became well-known:

• His son, William Morgan Jellett, became a member of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
• William's daughter, Mainie Jellett, became a famous artist.
• Another daughter, Dorothea Jellett, directed the orchestra at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin.
• His son, Henry Holmes Jellett, worked as an engineer in British India.
• His daughter, Harriette Mary Jellett, married George Francis FitzGerald, a famous Irish physicist.
• His daughter, Eva Jellett, was the first woman to earn a medical degree from Trinity College. She became a doctor in India.

John Hewitt Jellett passed away on February 19, 1888, at his home in Trinity College. He was buried in Mount Jerome Cemetery. His funeral was one of the largest ever seen from Trinity College.

Career and Achievements

John Hewitt Jellett was a brilliant student. He earned his first degree in mathematics from Trinity College Dublin in 1837. He continued his studies, earning more degrees over the years. In 1846, he became a priest.

In 1848, he became a professor of natural philosophy at TCD. This meant he taught about how the world works, using science and math. He also became a commissioner for Irish national education in 1868.

Awards and Leadership

In 1851, John Jellett received the Cunningham Medal from the Royal Irish Academy. This award was for his important work on a math topic called the "Calculus of Variations." He later became the president of the Royal Irish Academy, serving from 1869 to 1874.

In 1870, he became a Senior Fellow at Trinity College. This made him a member of the College Board, helping to run the university. In 1881, he was chosen to be the Provost of Trinity College. This is the highest position at the college. In the same year, he received a Royal Medal from the Royal Society, another major award for his scientific work.

His Writings

John Jellett was also a writer. He wrote several important books and papers on mathematics:

• A Treatise of the Calculus of Variations (1850)
• A Treatise on the Theory of Friction (1872)

He also wrote articles for the Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy. Besides math, he wrote about religious topics, including:

• An Examination of some of the Moral Difficulties of the Old Testament (1867)
• The Efficacy of Prayer (1878)