Thomas Allen (mathematician)
Thomas Allen (or Alleyn) (Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, 21 December, 1542 – 30 September, 1632) was an English mathematician and astrologer.
[edit] Life
He was admitted scholar of Trinity College, Oxford, in 1561; and graduated as M.A. in 1567. In 1580 he left his college and fellowship, retired to Gloucester Hall, and became known for his knowledge of antiquity, philosophy, and mathematics.
Having received an invitation from Henry Percy, 9th Earl of Northumberland, he spent some time at the earl's house, where he became acquainted with Thomas Harriot, John Dee, and other mathematicians. He was also intimate with Sir Robert Cotton, William Camden, and their antiquarian associates.
Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester, would have conferred a bishopric on him; but he declined the offer. His skill in mathematics and astrology earned him the credit of being a magician; and the author of Leicester's Commonwealth accuses him of employing the art of "figuring" to further the earl of Leicester's unlawful designs, and of endeavouring by the black art to bring about a match between his patron and Queen Elizabeth.
Allen collected manuscripts relating to history, antiquity, astronomy/astrology, philosophy, and mathematics. A considerable part of his collection was presented to the Bodleian library by Sir Kenelm Digby, but the Cuthbert Gospel of St John, seen in his library by Archbishop Ussher, appears to have left his possession by 1622, as it is not in a catalogue of that date.
He died at Gloucester Hall.
[edit] Works
He published in Latin the second and third books of Claudius Ptolemy of Pelusium, Concerning the Judgment of the Stars, or, as it is commonly called, Of the Quadripartite Construction, with an Exposition. He also wrote notes on John Bale's De Scriptoribus M. Britanniae.
[edit] References
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Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article Allen, Thomas. |
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Wikisource has the text of the 1885–1900 Dictionary of National Biography's article about Thomas Allen. |
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
