Thomas Hood (mathematician) facts for kids
Thomas Hood (born 1556, died 1620) was an English mathematician and physician. He was the very first person to be officially hired to teach mathematics in England. This happened a few years before Gresham College was even started.
Thomas Hood helped spread the idea that the Earth goes around the Sun, which was called the Copernican theory. He also wrote about a new bright star that appeared in the sky, known as SN 1572 (Tycho's Nova). Besides his teaching and writing, he also created new and better designs for tools used in math and looking at the stars.
Early Life and Studies
Thomas Hood started studying at Trinity College, Cambridge in 1573. He earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), in 1578. In the same year, he was chosen to be a "fellow" at the college. This meant he could stay and continue his studies and teaching. He then earned his Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in 1581.
By 1585, Thomas Hood received his license from Cambridge to work as a doctor. This allowed him to practice medicine.
Teaching Mathematics
In 1582, a rich merchant named Thomas Smythe asked Hood to start teaching mathematics. The actual lessons began a bit later, in 1588.
Hood taught from 1588 to 1592. His lessons were first meant for military leaders, especially for captains of "train bands." These were like local militia commanders during the time of the Spanish Armada, when England was preparing for a possible invasion. Later, his lessons also focused on helping sailors with navigation.
His first lectures were held in a place called the Staples Inn Chapel. But soon, the regular place for his lessons became Thomas Smythe's house in London, at Leadenhall in Gracechurch Street. Other important people who supported his teaching included Sir John Wolstenholme and John Lumley, 1st Baron Lumley. In 1589, Thomas Hood also invested money in the Virginia Company. This company was involved in setting up colonies in America, and his merchant supporters were also part of it.
Thomas Hood's books and writings likely came from the notes he used for his talks. He also worked with an artist named Augustine Ryther. Together, they created maps of the stars and maps of the Earth.
Later in his life, Thomas Hood lived in Abchurch Lane, London. He continued to work as a doctor and sold copies of his special maps of the world.
His Important Books
Thomas Hood wrote several books that helped people learn about math and how to use different tools. Here are some of his main works:
- A Copie of the Speache ... (published in 1588)
- The Use of the Celestial Globe in Plano, set forth in two hemispheres (published in 1590). This book taught people how to use a flat map of the stars.
- The Use of Jacobs Staffe. This was about using a tool called a Jacob's staff, which helped measure angles and distances.
- Making and Use of the Sector. This explained how to make and use a tool called a sector, which was useful for calculations.
- Elementes of Geometrie (published in 1590). This was a translation of a geometry book by a Latin writer named Petrus Ramus.
- He also translated a book about arithmetic by Christian Wursteisen (published in 1596).
- He wrote a book about surveying, which is about measuring land (published in 1598).
See also
- Backstaff
- Sector (instrument)
