Person Ward; Seth (1617 - 1689); astronomer and bishop of Exeter and Salisbury Ward Seth astronomer and bishop of Exeter and Salisbury 'Seth Sarum' 1617 - 1689 British Male Buntingford, Hertfordshire, England, Europe c. 1617 16170000 Knightsbridge, London, England, Europe 6 January 1689 16890106 Baptism: St Mary's Church, Aspenden, Hertfordshire, England, Europe (5 April 1617) Burial: Salisbury Cathedral, Wiltshire, England, Europe

Clergyman, Church of England Astronomy Education: Grammar School at Buntingford, Hertfordshire; Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge (BA 1637; MA 1640); Studied William Oughtred's mathematics with Charles Scarburgh (FRS 1663); Wadham College, Oxford (DD 1654) Career: Fellow of Sidney (1640-1644) ejected; ordained priest (1641); mathematical lecturer at Cambridge University (1643); imprisoned in St John's College, Cambridge as a Royalist (1644); Published 'Certain Disquisitions and Considerations Representing to the Conscience the Unlawfulness of the ... Solemn League and Covenant' (c.1643); Tutor to the sons of Ralph Freeman at Aspenden Hall (c1644-1649); Chaplain to Lord Wenman (1649); Savilian Professor of Astronomy, Oxford (1649-1661); Produced study of the nature of comets (1653); Collaborative work with John Wilkins (FRS 1663) on 'Vindiciae academiarum' (1654); Published 'Astronomia geometrica' (1656); Chaplain to Dr. Ralph Brownrig (1656); President of Trinity College, Oxford (1659-1660); Rector of Garsington, Oxford (1660) ejected; Canon and Precentor of Exeter (1660-1662); Rector of St Lawrence Jewry, London (1661-1662); Rector of Uplowman, Devon (1661); Rector of St Breock, Cornwall (1662); Dean of Exeter (1662); Bishop of Exeter (1662-1667); Bishop of Salisbury (1667-1689); Chancellor of the Order of the Garter (1671-1689); benefactor of the Royal Society and Sidney Sussex College; Parents: John Ward and Martha Dalton Ward's works on planetary motion were able to refine Kepler's second law and simplify previous mathematicians' work on it. Ward's collaboration with Wilkins was considered a defence of English universities, and in other work Ward and Thomas Hobbes exchanged criticism of each other's position. Some of Ward's career choices are likely to have been influenced by the political and religious environment of his time; he refused translation to Durham in 1674 due to 'the conditions' there, although he offers no further elaboration. He frequently gave to charity, and funded scholarships at Christ's College, Cambridge. He additionally left money in his will to the parish of Aspenden, where he was baptised, and left money for a part of the upkeep of Salisbury Cathedral. He gained international interest as a mathematical astronomer while a Savilian professor, but he is often most remembered for his success as an ecclesiastical administrator. Royal Society roles: Council: 1664, 1666-1678 ; VP 1674-? Original Fellow 20/05/1663 Sources: Bulloch's Roll; DNB; DSB; Venn; Foster; Aubrey; ODNB References: Hall, A R and Hall, M B. 1968. 'The Intellectual Origins of the Royal Society - London and Oxford', in Notes and Records, vol. 23, pp. 157-168 Helden, A van. 1968. 'Christopher Wren's De Corpore Saturni', in Notes and Records, vol. 23, pp. 213-229 McKie, D. 1960. 'The Origins and Foundation of the Royal Society of London', in Notes and Records, vol. 15, pp. 1-37 Ronan, C A. 1960. 'Laurence Rooke (1622-1662)', in Notes and Records, vol. 15, pp. 113-118 Turnbull, G H. 1953. 'Samuel Hartlib's Influence on the Early History of the Royal Society', in Notes and Records, vol. 10, pp. 101-130 Notes: The election date is Ward's re-election date into the Society after the grant of the second charter in April 1663. All Fellows admitted in a two-month window after this charter, until 22 June 1663, are considered Original Fellows. He was previously admitted into the Society on 18 December 1661. Ward P0220.jpg 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=AUTH8867 Before 5 Apr 1617 - 6 Jan 1689 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 03/11/2021 as part of Name Authority Project update. NA2442 21/11/2001 Andyg Martind 28/03/2023 RS_NET\JonathanB Yes http://viaf.org/viaf/41998972 552e0b8a-83f7-4f04-82cb-88d36560ecee