Richard of Wallingford
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Richard of Wallingford | |
|---|---|
 Richard of Wallingford is measuring with a pair of compasses in this 14th century miniature.
|
|
| Born | 1292 Wallingford, England |
| Died | 1336 St Albans |
| Occupation | Astronomer, horologist and monk |
| Parents | his father was a blacksmith |
Richard of Wallingford (1292–1336) was an English mathematician who made major contributions to astronomy/astrology and horology while serving as abbot of St Albans Abbey in Hertfordshire.
Richard was born, the son of a blacksmith, at Wallingford in Berkshire (now Oxfordshire) in England. When he was orphaned he was taken to William de Kirkeby the Prior of Holy Trinity Priory. Richard subsequently spent 6 years studying at Oxford University before becoming a monk at St Albans. He later studied for 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, which is described in the Tractatus Horologii Astronomici (1327). The clock was completed about 20 years after Richard's death by William of Walsham but was apparently destroyed during Henry VIII's reformation and the 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 the Tractatus Albionis. He published other works on trigonometry, celestial coordinates, astrology, and various religious works.
Richard suffered from what was then thought to be leprosy (although it might have been syphilis, scrofula or tuberculosis) which he apparently contracted when he went to have his position as abbot of St Albans Abbey confirmed by the Pope at Avignon. He died at St Albans.
[edit] References
- 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.
Minature of Richard of Wallingford
Astronomical Clock, Originally designed by Richard
[edit] See Also
[edit] External links
- The Astronomical Clock of Richard of Wallingford
- Images of Richard of Wallingford and the Astronomical Clock of Richard of Wallingford from the British Library
- Wallingford History Gateway
- Royal Berkshire History: Richard of Wallingford
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Richard of Wallingford |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | English mathematician |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 1292 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Wallingford, England |
| DATE OF DEATH | 1336 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | St Albans |
