George Tollet
Encyclopedia
George Tollet was a mathematician and naval administrator.
He was born in Dublin, the son of Thomas Tollet of London and educated at Westminster School
and Trinity College, Cambridge
. He then moved with his brother Cooke to the Isle of Man for a time as debt exiles.
In 1685 he was also a founder member and treasurer of the Dublin Philosophical Society
, where he presented many papers and experiments, concentrating on applied mathematics.
Tollet held various government posts, mainly in Ireland, before being appointed Extra Commissioner of the Navy in 1702, a sinecure post which however offered an opportunity to move into the Tower of London
until 1714. He was also Second Master at Westminster School from 1711 to 1714. He became acquainted with many members of the Royal Society
, including Isaac Newton
and Edmond Halley
as well as literary figures such as Samuel Pepys
and John Evelyn
. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in June 1713.
Tollet was interested in education; in 1685 William Molyneux
, a member of the Dublin society wrote to Halley in London mentioning an eleven-year old girl that he had trained in arithmentic, algebra, geometry and trigonometry. He also ensured the education of his own daughter.
In 1718 he purchased a country home at Betley
Hall, Staffordshire for his retirement but died there in 1719. He had married Elizabeth Oakes on the Isle of Man. Their son George inherited Betley Hall, their daughter was the poet Elizabeth Tollet
(1694-1754).
He was born in Dublin, the son of Thomas Tollet of London and educated at Westminster School
Westminster School
The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain...
and Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
. He then moved with his brother Cooke to the Isle of Man for a time as debt exiles.
In 1685 he was also a founder member and treasurer of the Dublin Philosophical Society
Dublin Philosophical Society
The Dublin Philosophical Society was founded in 1683 by William Molyneux. It was intended to be the equivalent of the Royal Society in London, with which it maintained cultural ties. Among its most prominent members were William Petty, Archbishop Narcissus Marsh, Archbishop William King and Bishop...
, where he presented many papers and experiments, concentrating on applied mathematics.
Tollet held various government posts, mainly in Ireland, before being appointed Extra Commissioner of the Navy in 1702, a sinecure post which however offered an opportunity to move into the Tower of London
Tower of London
Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, separated from the eastern edge of the City of London by the open space...
until 1714. He was also Second Master at Westminster School from 1711 to 1714. He became acquainted with many members of the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
, including Isaac Newton
Isaac Newton
Sir Isaac Newton PRS was an English physicist, mathematician, astronomer, natural philosopher, alchemist, and theologian, who has been "considered by many to be the greatest and most influential scientist who ever lived."...
and Edmond Halley
Edmond Halley
Edmond Halley FRS was an English astronomer, geophysicist, mathematician, meteorologist, and physicist who is best known for computing the orbit of the eponymous Halley's Comet. He was the second Astronomer Royal in Britain, following in the footsteps of John Flamsteed.-Biography and career:Halley...
as well as literary figures such as Samuel Pepys
Samuel Pepys
Samuel Pepys FRS, MP, JP, was an English naval administrator and Member of Parliament who is now most famous for the diary he kept for a decade while still a relatively young man...
and John Evelyn
John Evelyn
John Evelyn was an English writer, gardener and diarist.Evelyn's diaries or Memoirs are largely contemporaneous with those of the other noted diarist of the time, Samuel Pepys, and cast considerable light on the art, culture and politics of the time John Evelyn (31 October 1620 – 27 February...
. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in June 1713.
Tollet was interested in education; in 1685 William Molyneux
William Molyneux
William Molyneux FRS was an Irish natural philosopher and writer on politics.He was born in Dublin to Samuel Molyneux , lawyer and landowner , and his wife, Anne, née Dowdall. The second of five children, William Molyneux came from a relatively prosperous Anglican background...
, a member of the Dublin society wrote to Halley in London mentioning an eleven-year old girl that he had trained in arithmentic, algebra, geometry and trigonometry. He also ensured the education of his own daughter.
In 1718 he purchased a country home at Betley
Betley
Betley is a village and civil parish in the Newcastle district of Staffordshire, England, about halfway between Newcastle-under-Lyme and Nantwich. Betley forms a continual linear settlement with Wrinehill.-Transport:...
Hall, Staffordshire for his retirement but died there in 1719. He had married Elizabeth Oakes on the Isle of Man. Their son George inherited Betley Hall, their daughter was the poet Elizabeth Tollet
Elizabeth Tollet
Elizabeth Tollet was a British poet. Her surviving works are varied; she produced translations of classical themes, religious and philosophical poetry and poems arguing for better education for women...
(1694-1754).