, an English astronomer, and memorable for being the first who had
, an English astronomer, and memorable for being the first who had observed the passage of Venus over the sun’s disk, was born at Toxteth in Lancashire, about 1619. From a school in the country, where he acquired grammar-learning, he was sent to Emanuel-college in Cambridge, and there spent some time in academical studies. About 1633, he began with real earnestness to study astronomy: but living at that time with his father at Toxteth, in very moderate circumstances, and being destitute of' books and other assistances for the prosecution of this study, he could not make any considerable progress. He spent some of his first years in studying the writings of Lansbergius, of which he repented and complained afterwards; neglecting in the mean time the more valuable and profitable works of Tycho Brahe, Kepler, and other excellent astronomers. In 16^6, he contracted an acquaintance with Mr. William Crabtree of Broughton near Manchester, and was engaged in the same studies; but living at a considerable distance from each other, they could have little correspondence except by letters. These, however, they frequently exchanged, communicating their observations to one another; and they sometimes consulted Mr. Samuel Foster, professor of astronomy at Gresham-college in London. Horrox having now obtained a companion in his studies, assumed new spirits. Procuring astronomical instruments and books, he applied himself to make observations; and by Crabtree’s advice, laid aside Lansbergius, whose tables he found erroneous, and his hypotheses inconsistent. He was pursuing his studies with great vigour and success, when he was cut off by a sudden death, Jan. 3, 1640-1.
ve was honestly gotten it never cost a sailor a tear, or the nation a farthing." 1 Rooke (Lawrence), an English astronomer and geometrician, was born at Deptford, in
He died Jan. 24, 1708-9, in his fifty-eighth year, and
was buried in Canterbury cathedral, where a monument is
erected to his memory. In his private life he was a good
husband, and a kind master, lived hospitably towards his
neighbours, and left behind him a moderate fortune; so
moderate, that when he came to make his will it surprized
those who were present; but sir George assigned the reason in a few words, “I do not leave much,
” said he, i( but what I leave was honestly gotten it never cost a sailor a tear, or the nation a farthing." 1 Rooke (Lawrence), an English astronomer and geometrician, was born at Deptford, in Kent, 1623, and educated at Eton school, whence he removed to King’s college,
Cambridge, in 1639. After taking the degree of M. A. in
1647, he retired for some time into the country, but in
1650 went to Oxford, and settled in Wadham college, that
he might associate with Dr. Wilkins, and Mr. Seth Ward
the astronomy professor; and also accompany Mr. Boyle
in his chemical operations. After the death of Mr. Foster
he was chosen astronomy professor in Gresham college,
London, in 1652. He made some observations upon the
comet at Oxford, which appeared in the month of December that year; which were printed by Mr. Seth Ward the
year following. And, in 1655, Dr. Wallis publishing his
treatise on conic sections, he dedicated that work to those
two gentlemen. In 1657 Mr. Rooke was permitted to exchange the astronomy professorship for that of geometry.
This step might seem strange, as astronomy still continued
to be his favourite study; but it was thought to have been
from the convenience of the lodgings, which opened behind
the reading hall, and therefore were proper for the reception of those gentlemen after the lectures, who, in 1660,
laid the foundation of the royal society. Most of those
learned men who had been accustomed to assemble with
him at Oxford, coining to London, joined with other philosophical gentlemen, and usually met at Gresham college
to hear Mr. Rooke’s iectwes, and afterwards withdrew into
his apartment; till their meetings were interrupted by the
quartering of soldiers in the college in 1658. And after
the royal society came to be formed into a regular body,
Mr. Rooke was very zealous and serviceable in promoting
that great and useful institution; though he did not live
till it received its establishment by the royal charter.