Nathaniel Torporley facts for kids
Nathaniel Torporley (born 1564, died 1632) was an English man who had many talents. He was a clergyman (a church leader), a mathematician (someone who studies numbers and shapes), and an astrologer (someone who studies how stars and planets might affect people).
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About His Life
Nathaniel Torporley was born in Shropshire, England. In 1571, he started attending Shrewsbury free grammar school.
His Education
He went to Christ Church, Oxford University in 1581. He earned his first degree (B.A.) in 1584. Later, in 1591, he received his master's degree (M.A.) from Brasenose College.
His Work as a Clergyman
After his studies, Nathaniel became a clergyman. He was appointed as the rector (a type of church leader) of Salwarpe in Worcestershire in 1608. He held this position until 1622. He also worked as a rector in Liddington, Wiltshire, in 1611. However, he mostly lived in Sion College in London.
His Connections and Travels
Torporley became friends with Thomas Harriot, who was a famous mathematician and astronomer. From Harriot, he learned a lot about these subjects. A wealthy nobleman, Henry Percy, 9th Earl of Northumberland, supported Torporley for several years by giving him money.
In 1605, Torporley was questioned by the council. This happened after the discovery of the Gunpowder Plot. He was questioned because he had tried to predict the king's future using astrology.
For a few years, he lived in France. There, he worked as a helper (called an amanuensis) for François Viète. Viète was a very important French mathematician. Torporley even wrote a pamphlet against Viète under a different name.
Nathaniel Torporley passed away in Sion College, London. He was buried on April 17, 1632, at St. Alphege's Church.
His Writings and Legacy
Nathaniel Torporley published an important book in 1602. Its long title was Diclides Coelometricae; seu Valuae Astronomicae universales. This book was about astronomy and how to calculate things in the sky. It included new and easy ways to use two tables for calculations.
His Will and Manuscripts
When he died, Torporley left a will. He gave all his mathematical books, astronomy tools, notes, maps, and a brass clock to the library at Sion College. Among these items were some special handwritten books (manuscripts). These included Congestor: Opus Mathematicum, Philosophia, Atomorum Atopia demonstrata, and Corrector Analyticus Artis posthunc. His sister, Susanna Tasker, took care of his will.
Working with Harriot's Papers
Torporley was also in charge of the papers left behind by his teacher, Thomas Harriot. He worked on organizing them. However, the book that was eventually published from Harriot's notes, called Artis Analyticae Praxis (1631), was put together by another person named Walter Warner.
