Peter Newcome facts for kids

Peter Newcome (1715–1779) was an English teacher and a member of the Royal Society. The Royal Society is a famous group of scientists. He was known for running a well-known school in London.

Early Life and Education

Peter Newcome was born in 1715. His father, Henry Newcome, was also a teacher. Henry Newcome started a famous private school called Newcome's School in Hackney, a part of London. Peter's grandfather, Peter Newcome, had also been a teacher, and his mother's father, Benjamin Morland, had run the school before Henry.

Peter Newcome went to Queens' College, Cambridge, a university, in 1732. He studied hard and earned his first degree in 1735 and a master's degree in 1738. After graduating, he became a fellow at the college from 1740 to 1742. This meant he was a senior member of the college.

Joining the Royal Society

The Newcome family had connections with important people, like the family of Henry Grey, the first Duke of Kent. The Duke's daughter, Anne Grey, married Lord Charles Cavendish. Their son, Henry Cavendish, who later became a famous scientist, was a student at Newcome's School starting in 1742.

Because of these connections, Peter Newcome's father suggested him for the Royal Society in 1742. Other important people, including Philip Yorke (who also went to Newcome's School), Thomas Birch, and Daniel Wray, supported his membership.

Scientific Work and Contributions

Being part of the Royal Society meant Peter Newcome could join in London's scientific activities. In 1744, he started attending the Royal Society's informal dining club, where scientists would meet and talk.

He even took part in exciting experiments! In 1747, he watched Sir William Watson's experiments on how electricity could travel across the River Thames. Later, in the 1760s, Peter Newcome became a member of the Royal Society's council, helping to make decisions for the group. He also wrote a paper about an earthquake that happened in 1750, which was published in the Philosophical Transactions, a scientific journal.

Leading Newcome's School

When his father passed away, Peter Newcome took over running Newcome's School. He also inherited some property rights in Clapton, but only if he continued to be the head of the school. He did lead the school, but only for three years.

Newcome's School was very popular and known for its plays and drama. Even the famous actor David Garrick helped with a play there in 1763. Eventually, Peter Newcome handed over control of the school to his half-brother, Henry. Henry's son, Richard, later took over the school after him.

Peter Newcome passed away in 1779.