Shakerley, Jeremy

1. Dates Shakerley, Jeremy

Born: Halifax, Yorkshire, Nov. 1626

Died: India, c.1655

The last thing known about Shakerley is a letter addressed to him, in India, in 1655. By 1675 (I cite Sherburne's book of that year) he was known to be dead.

Dateinfo: Death Uncertain

Lifespan: 29

2. Father

Occupation: Unknown

William Shakerley. There is no information other than his name.

No information on financial status.

3. Nationality

Birth: English

Career: English (I consider that he was in English culture. in India.)

Death: English (again the English culture in India)

4. Education

Schooling: No University

Self educated.

5. Religion

Affiliation: Anglican

Largely by assumption--there is not much information.

6. Scientific Disciplines

Primary: Astronomy

Subordinate: Astrology

Anatomy of "Urania Practica", 1649, a criticism of a publication by Wing.

Synopsis compendiana, 1651.

Tabulae britannicae, 1653.

He was the first mathematician to recognize the significance of the work of Horrocks, which he found in manuscript in the Towneley household.

In India he observed a transit of Mercury, 1651, the second transit of Mercury ever observed, and a comet in 1652. He also studied the astronomical knowledge of the Brahmins.

His correspondence with Lilly indicates that Shakerley, like most astronomers of his age, accepted astrology as well, though he became increasingly skeptical as the correspondence continued.

7. Means of Support

Primary: Patronage, Unknown

The London astronomer, William Lilly, supplied him with books, stationery, and other aids, 1640s-50. Lilley withdrew his support when Shakerley attacked Wing.

He was a member of the Towneley household at Carr Hall, Lancashire, 1649-51.

He emigrated to India in 1651, possibly as an employee of the East India Company, although his name does not appear in the company's records. The trip is obscure. He did not go there solely to observe the heavens. He could hardly have gone on his own.

8. Patronage

Types: Scientist, Gentry

William Lilly, the astrologer. Although Lilly appears to have withdrawn his support, his connections in London may have helped Shakerley.

Shakerley was taken into the Towneley household in 1649 and encouraged in his scientific pursuits.

9. Technological Involvement

Types: None

10. Scientific Societies

Memberships: None

Informal Connections: Correspondence with W. Lilly, 1648-50.

Sources

1. Dictionary of National Biography (repr., London: Oxford University Press, 1949-50), 17, 1283. Allan Chapman, Three North Country Astronomers, (Manchester, 1982), pp. 36-7.

2. There is not much information about this fairly obscure man.

Compiled by:

Richard S. Westfall

Department of History and Philosophy of Science

Indiana University

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