The Galileo Project
biography
biography
chronology
family
portraits
science
christianity
library
about
site map
search
 

Childrey, Joshua

1. Dates
Born: Rochester, 1623
Died: Upwey, Dorsetshire, 26 Aug. 1670
Dateinfo: Dates Certain
Lifespan: 47
2. Father
Occupation: Unknown
We know only that his name was Robert Childrey.
No information on financial status.
3. Nationality
Birth: England
Career: England
Death: England
4. Education
Schooling: Oxford
Rochester Grammar School.
Oxford University; Magdalen Colleger, B.A., 1646. Childrey was expelled by the Parliamentary Visitors in 1648.
M.A., 1661; D.D., 1661. Both of these degrees were mandated upon the Restoration; I am not listing either.
5. Religion
Affiliation: Anglican
6. Scientific Disciplines
Primary: Natural History
Subordinate: Astrology, Meteorology
Childrey's first books were on astrology: Imago astrologica, 1652, and Syzygiasticon instauratum, 1653.
In attempting to elaborate an experimental astrology, he confirmed an old idea that there was a 35 year cycle in the weather. He made numberous observations on the weather and the tides.
His most important book was Britannia baconia, 1660, in natural history.
7. Means of Support
Primary: Schoolmastering, Church Life
Secondary: Academia, Patronage
Clerk of Magdalen College, 1640-8.
Schoolmaster of Faversham, 1648-61.
Appointed chaplain to the Lord Herbert, 1660-4.
Archdeaconry of Sarum, 1664, and a prebend in Salisbury Cathedral that same year.
Rector of Upwey, 1664-70.
8. Patronage
Type: Aristrocrat
Lord Herbert offered him a chaplainship in 1660.
It is clear that he languished until the Restoration and then received a living. (Source on patronage: DNB)
9. Technological Involvement
Type: Instruments
Childrey made and improved telescopes.
10. Scientific Societies
Memberships: None
Informal Connections: correspondence with Oldenburg.
Sources
  1. A.R. and M.B. Hall, The Correspondence of Henry Oldenburg, 1, 301, and 5, 384-386, 454-456.
  2. Dictionary of National Biography (repr., London: Oxford University Press, 1949-1950) [ref. CT773.D51], 4, 250-1. Anthony à Wood, Athenae oxonienses (Fasti oxonienses is attached, with separate pagination, to the Athenae), 4 vols. (London, 1813-20), 3, 903-5; Fasti, 2, 90, 246, 244.
Compiled by:
Richard S. Westfall
Department of History and Philosophy of Science
Indiana University

Note: the creators of the Galileo Project and this catalogue cannot answer email on geneological questions.

     
©1995 Al Van Helden
Last updated
 
Home | Galileo | Biography | Chronology | Family | Portraits |
Science | Christianity | Library | About | Site Map | Search

Please note: We will not answer copyright requests.
See the copyright page for more information.