was born in a small thatched cottage in Eaglesfield, Cumberland on September 5,1766. He had a seven year old brother and a 2 year old sister. John was a Quaker and recieved utilitarian education at the nearest Quaker school. This was quite a feat since, at that time, only one of every 215 English people could read. He was quick at studies and tireless at mathematical problems. At the age of 12, he had already opened his own school enrolled with 60 pupils. In 1787 he began to give public lectures. He had hope to go to medical school, but ....