Samuel Foster and His Circle

Samuel Foster (c.1600-1652) was one of England's first observational astronomers. He was born in the Midlands (there is evidence for Coventry and Northampton) and like his contemporary and correspondent, Jeremiah Horrocks, was educated at Emmanuel College Cambridge. Foster taught in Coventry before briefly taking up the post of Gresham Professor of Astronomy in London in 1636. After relinquishing the post he returned to Coventry, where he produced his seminal work on sundials, The Art of Dialling. He also began a series of astronomical observations, in conjunction with John Twysden, John Palmer, and possibly Walter Foster, his brother, and Nathaniel Nye of Birmingham. In 1641 he returned to the professorship of Gresham College, where he remained until his death. He was part of a group that met regularly at the college for discussions; the nucleus of this group went on to found the Royal Society.