Francis Potter
Encyclopedia
Francis Potter was an English clergyman, Biblical commentator, and experimenter, an early Fellow of the Royal Society.
where his elder brother Hannibal
was a scholar; he graduated B.A. in 1613, and M.A. in 1616. In 1625 he proceeded B.D., and, after his father's death in 1628, succeeded him as rector of Kilmington, although he did not at first reside there.
He escaped sequestration during the English Civil War
and Interregnum. He was admitted a Fellow of Royal Society on 11 November 1663. soon after its foundation. Nearly blind, he died unmarried in April 1678, and was buried in the chancel at Kilmington. His friend John Aubrey
describes him as ‘like a monk,’ and as ‘pretty long visaged, and pale clear skin, gray eie.’
, connecting 25, the approximate square root
of 666, with Catholic institutions; he elaborated it in a manuscript which was read in 1637 by Joseph Mead, who commended it as a wonderful discovery to Samuel Hartlib
. It was published as An Interpretation of the Number 666 (Oxford, by Leonard Lichfield, 1642), with a symbolical frontispiece, an opinion by Mead prefixed, and a preface dated from Kilmington. Anthony Wood
says it was translated into French, Dutch, and Latin; but the only translation extant is in Latin, printed in a small octavo at Amsterdam in 1677, and attributed to Thomas Gilbert
. It was reprinted at Worcester in 1808.
Potter was following a line of thought in Patrick Forbes
, Richard Bernard
, and Mead. His work continued to have significance for over a century.
s with a graduated compass of his own invention, which he gave to Aubrey. He experimented with bees, and showed Aubrey their thighs in a microscope. He also theorised about blood transfusion
(about 1640), and later communicated his results through Aubrey to the Royal Society. It has been suggested that Potter's priority in practical work on blood transfusion, as hinted by Timothy Clarke
, is more significant than has been admitted in the past.
He made a sundial
on the north side of the original quadrangle of Trinity College. He also drew and painted; and Aubrey says that he designed an instrument for drawing in perspective, which was afterwards re-invented by Christopher Wren
. He was fond of chess, which he played with his contemporary at Trinity, Colonel Bishop.
Life
He was second son of Richard Potter (died 1628), prebendary of Worcester, and his wife, who belonged to the Horsey family of Clifton, Dorset. He was born at Mere vicarage on 29 May 1594, and educated at the King's School, Worcester. In 1609 he went up as a commoner to Trinity College, OxfordTrinity College, Oxford
The College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity in the University of Oxford, of the foundation of Sir Thomas Pope , or Trinity College for short, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It stands on Broad Street, next door to Balliol College and Blackwells bookshop,...
where his elder brother Hannibal
Hannibal Potter
Hannibal Potter was an English clergyman and college head in Oxford during the First English Civil War. He was removed as President of Trinity College, Oxford in 1648 by the Parliamentary visitors, regaining the position in 1660.-Life:...
was a scholar; he graduated B.A. in 1613, and M.A. in 1616. In 1625 he proceeded B.D., and, after his father's death in 1628, succeeded him as rector of Kilmington, although he did not at first reside there.
He escaped sequestration during the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
and Interregnum. He was admitted a Fellow of Royal Society on 11 November 1663. soon after its foundation. Nearly blind, he died unmarried in April 1678, and was buried in the chancel at Kilmington. His friend John Aubrey
John Aubrey
John Aubrey FRS, was an English antiquary, natural philosopher and writer. He is perhaps best known as the author of the collection of short biographical pieces usually referred to as Brief Lives...
describes him as ‘like a monk,’ and as ‘pretty long visaged, and pale clear skin, gray eie.’
Works
Potter formed a theory of the Number of the BeastNumber of the Beast
The Number of the Beast is a term in the Book of Revelation, of the New Testament, that is associated with the first Beast of Revelation chapter 13, the Beast of the sea. In most manuscripts of the New Testament and in English translations of the Bible, the number of the Beast is...
, connecting 25, the approximate square root
Square root
In mathematics, a square root of a number x is a number r such that r2 = x, or, in other words, a number r whose square is x...
of 666, with Catholic institutions; he elaborated it in a manuscript which was read in 1637 by Joseph Mead, who commended it as a wonderful discovery to Samuel Hartlib
Samuel Hartlib
Samuel Hartlib was a German-British polymath. An active promoter and expert writer in many fields, he was interested in science, medicine, agriculture, politics, and education. He settled in England, where he married and died...
. It was published as An Interpretation of the Number 666 (Oxford, by Leonard Lichfield, 1642), with a symbolical frontispiece, an opinion by Mead prefixed, and a preface dated from Kilmington. Anthony Wood
Anthony Wood
Anthony Wood or Anthony à Wood was an English antiquary.-Early life:Anthony Wood was the fourth son of Thomas Wood , BCL of Oxford, where Anthony was born...
says it was translated into French, Dutch, and Latin; but the only translation extant is in Latin, printed in a small octavo at Amsterdam in 1677, and attributed to Thomas Gilbert
Thomas Gilbert (minister)
-Biography:Thomas Gilbert, son of William Gilbert of Prees, Shropshire, was born in 1613. In 1629 he became a student in St Edmund Hall, Oxford, his tutor being Ralph Morhall. After graduating B.A. on 28 May 1633, he obtained some employment in Ireland, but returned to Oxford and graduated M.A. on...
. It was reprinted at Worcester in 1808.
Potter was following a line of thought in Patrick Forbes
Patrick Forbes
Patrick Forbes was a late 16th century and early 17th century Scottish churchman. Born in 1564, he was the oldest son of Elizabeth Strachan and her husband William Forbes, Laird of Corse. He attended the High School of Stirling, the University of Glasgow and then the University of St Andrews...
, Richard Bernard
Richard Bernard
Richard Bernard was an English Puritan clergyman and writer.-Life:Bernard was born in Epworth and received his education at Christ's College, Cambridge, where he matriculated in 1592, obtained his BA in 1595, and an MA in 1598. He was married in 1601 and had six children...
, and Mead. His work continued to have significance for over a century.
Experimenter
Potter made quadrantQuadrant
Quadrant may refer to:* A sector equal to one quarter of a circle, or half a semicircle, see Circular sector* The sectors of a two-dimensional cartesian coordinate system, see Cartesian coordinate system#Quadrants and octants...
s with a graduated compass of his own invention, which he gave to Aubrey. He experimented with bees, and showed Aubrey their thighs in a microscope. He also theorised about blood transfusion
Blood transfusion
Blood transfusion is the process of receiving blood products into one's circulation intravenously. Transfusions are used in a variety of medical conditions to replace lost components of the blood...
(about 1640), and later communicated his results through Aubrey to the Royal Society. It has been suggested that Potter's priority in practical work on blood transfusion, as hinted by Timothy Clarke
Timothy Clarke
Timothy Clarke was an English physician, a founding Fellow of the Royal Society.-Life:He was a member of Balliol College, Oxford at the time of the parliamentary visitation in May 1648. He refused to submit, but was allowed to proceed M.D. on 20 July 1652...
, is more significant than has been admitted in the past.
He made a sundial
Sundial
A sundial is a device that measures time by the position of the Sun. In common designs such as the horizontal sundial, the sun casts a shadow from its style onto a surface marked with lines indicating the hours of the day. The style is the time-telling edge of the gnomon, often a thin rod or a...
on the north side of the original quadrangle of Trinity College. He also drew and painted; and Aubrey says that he designed an instrument for drawing in perspective, which was afterwards re-invented by Christopher Wren
Christopher Wren
Sir Christopher Wren FRS is one of the most highly acclaimed English architects in history.He used to be accorded responsibility for rebuilding 51 churches in the City of London after the Great Fire in 1666, including his masterpiece, St. Paul's Cathedral, on Ludgate Hill, completed in 1710...
. He was fond of chess, which he played with his contemporary at Trinity, Colonel Bishop.