Richard von Wallingford
Richard of Wallingford (1292–1336) was an English mathematician active in the 14th century, who made major contributions to astronomy and horology whilst serving as the abbot of St Albans Abbey, Hertfordshire. Born the son of a blacksmith at Wallingford, Berkshire (now Oxfordshire), England, Richard was taken to William de Kirkeby, the Prior of Holy Trinity Priory, Wallingford when he became an orphan, and studied at Oxford University. He spent 6 years there, then become a monk at St Albans, before 9 years further study 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.
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
