Jonathan Cape (mathematician) facts for kids
Jonathan Cape (born 1793, died 1868) was a very smart mathematician and a clergyman in the Church of England. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is a big honor for scientists.
Early Life and Education
Jonathan Cape was born in 1793 in a place called Uldale, which is in Cumberland, England. His father was also a clergyman.
In 1812, Jonathan went to Trinity College, Cambridge. He started as a "sizar," which meant he received financial help. This help often came in exchange for doing certain duties at the college.
He worked very hard and earned his first degree, a BA, in 1816. He was the 5th "Wrangler" in his year. A "Wrangler" was a student who achieved the highest honors in mathematics at Cambridge University. He later earned his MA degree in 1821.
After college, he became a clergyman. He was made a "deacon" in 1816 and then a "priest" in 1818. These are steps in becoming a minister in the Church of England.
Teaching Career
In 1816, Jonathan Cape started working as an Assistant Professor. This was at the Royal Naval Academy in Portsmouth. At the same time, he also worked as a clergyman in a nearby church.
Then, in 1822, he got a very important job. He became the Senior Professor of Mathematics at Addiscombe College in Croydon. This college was a special military school. It trained young men to become officers in the East India Company's army.
Jonathan Cape stayed at Addiscombe College for a long time. He taught there until the college closed in 1861. People who wrote about the college said he was "the most remarkable member of the staff." They even said, "He was Addiscombe," meaning he was a huge part of the college's history.
Personality and Achievements
Jonathan Cape was known for his clever and sometimes sarcastic sense of humor. He also had a strong accent from the North of England. Students and colleagues remembered him as an excellent teacher. He was good at keeping order in his classes. He also had a great sense of humor.
Because of his important work in mathematics, he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1852. This is a very respected group for top scientists.
He retired in 1861 when Addiscombe College closed. He passed away in Croydon on September 9, 1868, at the age of 75. He never married.
