ALLEN, or ALLEYN, THOMAS (1542-1632), English mathematician,
was born at Uttoxeter in Staffordshire on the 21st of December
1542. He was admitted scholar of Trinity College, Oxford,
in 1561; and graduated as M.A. in 1567. In 1580 he quitted
his college and fellowship, retired to Gloucester Hall, and
became famous for his knowledge of antiquity, philosophy and
mathematics. Having received an invitation from Henry Percy,
earl of Northumberland, a great friend and patron of men of
science, he spent some time at the earl's house, where he
became acquainted with Thomas Harriot, John Dee and other famous
mathematicians. He was also intimate with Sir Robert Cotton,
William Camden, and their antiquarian associates. Robert
Dudley, earl of Leicester, had a particular esteem for Allen,
and would have conferred a bishopric upon him, but his love
of solitude made him decline the offer. His great skill in
mathematics and astrology earned him the credit of being a
magician; and the author of Leicester's Commonwealth accuses
him of employing the art of "figuring" to further the earl
of Leicester's unlawful designs, and of endeavouring by the
black art to bring about a match between his patron and Queen
Elizabeth. Allen was indefatigable in collecting scattered
manuscripts relating to history, antiquity, astronomy,
philosophy and mathematics. A considerable part of his
collection was presented to the Bodleian library by Sir Kenelm
Digby. He died on the 30th of September 1632 at Gloucester
Hall. He published in Latin the second and third books
of Claudius Ptolemy of Pelusium,
Concerning the Judgment
of the Stars, or, as it is commonly called, of the
Quadripartite Construction, with an Exposition. He also
wrote notes on John Bale's
De Scriptoribus M. Britanniae.
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