Person Potter; Francis (1594 - 1678); clergyman, instrument maker, and experimentalist Potter Francis clergyman, instrument maker, and experimentalist 1594 - 1678 British Male Mere vicarage, Wiltshire, England, Europe 29 May 1594 15940529 0 Burial: Chancel in Kilmington, Wiltshire, England, Europe

Clergyman, Church of England Mechanics Education: King's School, Worcester; Trinity College, Oxford (BA 1613; MA 1616; BD 1625) Career: Rector of Kilmington, Somerset (1626-1678); made sundials, quadrants and compasses; published 'An Interpretation of the Number 666' (1642) Parents: Richard Potter (prebendary of Worcester) Siblings: Hannibal Potter Potter was close friends with biographer John Aubrey (FRS 1663) and was featured in his 'Brief Lives'. In his work as a mechanic and inventor, Potter was an admirer of John Wilkins (FRS 1660). He furthermore showed an interest in religion, in particular the study of eschatology. During the Civil War and the Interregnum, he was not affected by sequestration and could maintain his positions. Committee and panels: Committee for the Histories of Trades (1664) Fellow 11/11/1663 Presented papers on his inventions to the Royal Society (1663) Sources: Bulloch's Roll; DNB; Foster; Aubrey; ODNB References: Frank, R G Jr. 1972-3. 'John Aubrey, FRS, John Lydall, and Science at Commonwealth Oxford', in Notes and Records, vol. 27, pp. 193-217 Notes: Potter was first elected on 18 March 1663, prior to the Society receiving its second Royal Charter, and was not officially re-elected FRS of the incorporated Royal Society until the date stated above (11 November 1663). Potter is therefore not considered an original Fellow of the Royal Society, a classification reserved for those named in the 1663 charter or elected within the subsequent two months, the period allowed in the charter for the declaration of Fellows. Elections like Potter's that predated this were no longer recognised. The date of any subsequent re-election is given in this database as the official election date. International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) - Ottawa 1996 ISBN 0-9696035-3-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 https://pictures.royalsociety.org/results?mi_search_type=adv&mi_adv_search=yes&adv_person_id=AUTH6876 29 May 1594 - Apr 1678 The past Fellows entries are under continuous revision. If you have queries or additional information to contribute, please contact Library@royalsociety.org. Content in external sources is not controlled by the Royal Society and historical sources may include content that is now unacceptable. Reviewed on 14/02/2022 as part of the Name Authority Project update. NA1388 21/11/2001 Andyg Pmab 17/03/2026 RS_NET\VirginiaM Yes http://viaf.org/viaf/10899711 85be20e3-1a86-4768-bef0-0e38417a0ac5