Richard of Wallingford

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Richard of Wallingford is shown measuring with a pair of compasses in this 14th century miniature.

Richard of Wallingford (1292–1336) was an English mathematician from the 14th century, who made major contributions to astronomy/astrology and horology whilst serving as the abbot of St Albans Abbey in Hertfordshire.

Born the son of a blacksmith at Wallingford, Berkshire (now Oxfordshire) in England, Richard was taken to William de Kirkeby, the Prior of Holy Trinity Priory, when he became an orphan. He spent 6 years studying at Oxford University before becoming a monk at St Albans. He later studied 9 more years at Oxford. In 1326, he became abbot of St Albans.

Richard of Wallingford is best known for the astronomical clock he designed while he was abbot, described in "Tractatus Horologii Astronomici" (1327). The clock was completed about 20 years after his death by William of Walsham, but was apparently destroyed during Henry VIII's reformation and dissolution of St Albans Abbey in 1539.

Richard also designed and constructed a calculation device known as an equatorium, which he called Albion. This could be used for astronomical calculations such as lunar, solar and planetary longitudes and could predict eclipses. This is described in "Tractatus Albionis". He published other works on trigonometry, celestial coordinates, astrology, and various religious works.

He suffered from what was then thought to be leprosy (though it may have been syphilis, scrofula or tuberculosis), apparently contracted when he went to have his position confirmed by the Pope at Avignon. He died at St Albans.

[edit] References

Richard of Wallingford pointing to a clock, referring to his gift to the abbey. His face is disfigured, possibly by leprosy.

North, J. (2004) God's Clockmaker: Richard of Wallingford and the Invention of Time. Oxbow Books. ISBN 1-85285-451-0
Watson, E (1979) The St Albans Clock of Richard of Wallingford. Antiquarian Horology 372-384.

Richard of Wallingford

Minature of Richard of Wallingford

Astronomical Clock, Originally designed by Richard