Thomas Allen (mathematician)

Thomas Allen (or Alleyn) (Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, 21 December 1542 - 30 September 1632) was an English mathematician and astrologer. He was admitted scholar of Trinity College, Oxford, in 1561; and graduated as M.A. in 1567. In 1580 he quit his college and fellowship, retired to Gloucester Hall, and became famous for his knowledge of antiquity, philosophy, and mathematics.

Having received an invitation from Henry Percy, earl of Northumberland, a great friend and patron of men of science, he spent some time at the earl's house, where he became acquainted with Thomas Harriot, John Dee, and other famous mathematicians. He was also intimate with Sir Robert Cotton, William Camden, and their antiquarian associates.

Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester, had a particular esteem for Allen, and would have conferred a bishopric upon him, but his love of solitude made him decline the offer. His great 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 was indefatigable in collecting scattered 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.

He died at Gloucester Hall. 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".

References

*1911