ROBERT HOOKE

Robert Hooke is known as a

"Renaissance Man" of 17th
century England for his work in
the sciences, which covered
areas such as astronomy, physics
and biology.
SYNOPSIS
 Born in Freshwater on England's Isle of Wight in
1635, scientist Robert Hooke was educated at
Oxford and spent his career at the Royal Society
and Gresham College. His research and
experiments ranged from astronomy to biology to
physics; he is particularly recognized for the
observations he made while using a microscope
and for "Hooke's Law" of elasticity. Hooke died in
London in 1703.
EARLY LIFE AND
EDUCATION
 Robert Hooke was born in the town of Freshwater, on England’s Isle of
Wight, on July 18, 1635. His parents were John Hooke, who served as
curate for the local church parish, and Cecily (née Gyles) Hooke.Initially a
sickly child, Hooke grew to be a quick learner who was interested in
painting and adept at making mechanical toys and models. After his
father’s death in 1648, the 13-year-old Hooke was sent to London to
apprentice with painter Peter Lely. This connection turned out to be a short
one, and he went instead to study at London’s Westminster School.In 1653,
Hooke enrolled at Oxford's Christ Church College, where he supplemented
his meager funds by working as an assistant to the scientist Robert Boyle.
While studying subjects ranging from astronomy to chemistry, Hooke also
made influential friends, such as future architect Christopher Wren.
 TEACHING, RESEARCH AND OTHER
OCCUPATIONS
 Hooke was appointed curator of experiments for the newly
formed Royal Society of London in 1662, a position he obtained
with Boyle's support. Hooke became a fellow of the society in
1663.Unlike many of the gentleman scientists he interacted with,
Hooke required an income. In 1665, he accepted a position as
professor of geometry at Gresham College in London. After the
"Great Fire" destroyed much of London in 1666, Hooke became a
city surveyor. Working with Wren, he assessed the damage and
redesigned many of London’s streets and public buildings.
PERSONAL LIFE AND
REPUTATION
 Hooke never married. His niece, Grace Hooke, his longtime
live-in companion and housekeeper, as well as his eventual
lover, died in 1687; Hooke was inconsolable at the
loss.Hooke's career was marred by arguments with other
prominent scientists. He often sparred with fellow
Englishman Isaac Newton, including one 1686 dispute over
Hooke’s possible influence on Newton’s famous book
Principia Mathematica.In his last year of life, Hooke
suffered from symptoms that may have been caused by
diabetes. He died at the age of 67 in London on March 3,
1703.