Robert Hooke

28 July 1635 – 3 March 1703

Robert Hooke (1635-1703) was an English polymath, natural philosopher, and architect, one of the most versatile scientists of the seventeenth century. As Curator of Experiments at the Royal Society he made pioneering contributions to microscopy, mechanics, and astronomy, publishing the landmark illustrated book Micrographia and formulating the law of elasticity that bears his name. He also served as Surveyor of the City of London after the Great Fire of 1666.

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Life events

Born at Freshwater on the Isle of Wight
28 July 1635

Robert Hooke was born in Freshwater, Isle of Wight, the son of a Church of England curate.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Entered Westminster School in London
c. 1648

After his father's death, Hooke moved to London and studied under Richard Busby at Westminster School.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Entered Christ Church, Oxford
1653

Hooke went up to Oxford as a chorister and servitor, joining the circle of natural philosophers around John Wilkins.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became assistant to Robert Boyle
c. 1655

Hooke worked as Boyle's paid assistant in Oxford, building and operating the air pump used in Boyle's celebrated experiments on gases.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed Curator of Experiments of the Royal Society
1662

Hooke became responsible for demonstrating experiments at the Royal Society's weekly meetings, a post that made him central to English experimental science.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Published Micrographia
1665

Hooke's illustrated masterpiece of microscopy introduced the biological term 'cell' and became the first scientific bestseller.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed Gresham Professor of Geometry
1665

Hooke took up the geometry professorship at Gresham College, London, where he lived and worked for the rest of his life.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed a Surveyor of the City of London after the Great Fire
1666

Following the Great Fire of 1666, Hooke surveyed the ruined city and, with Christopher Wren, played a major role in rebuilding London.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Published the law of elasticity now known as Hooke's law
1678

In his lecture De Potentia Restitutiva, Hooke stated that the extension of a spring is proportional to the force applied, having earlier announced it as an anagram in 1676.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in London
3 March 1703

Hooke died at Gresham College, London, and was buried at St Helen's Bishopsgate.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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