Anno Domini <1658> (vide A. Wood's Antiq. Oxon.) he was sent to Christ Church in Oxford, where he had a chorister's place (in those dayes when the church musique was putt-downe[1722]), which was a pretty good maintenance. He was there assistant to Dr. Thomas Willis in his chymistry; who afterwards recommended him to the honble Robert Boyle, esqre, to be usefull to him in his chymicall operations. Mr. Hooke then read to him (R. B., esqre) Euclid's Elements, and made him understand[1723] Des Cartes' Philosophy. He was Master of Arts anno Domini....
Anno Domini 166<2> Mr. Robert Boyle recommended Mr. Robert Hooke to be Curator of the Experiments of the Royall Society, wherin he did an admirable good worke to the Common-wealth of Learning, in recommending the fittest person in the world to them. Anno <1664> he was chosen Geometry[1724] Professour at Gresham College[GA]. Anno Domini 166- Sir John Cutler, knight, gave a Mechanicall lecture, ... pounds per annum, which he read.
Anno Domini 166<6> the great conflagration of London happened, and then he was chosen one of the two surveyors[CXXXII.] of the citie of London; by which he hath gott a great estate. He built Bedlam, the Physitians' College, Montague-house, the Piller on Fish-street-hill, and Theatre there; and he is much made use of in designing buildings.
[CXXXII.] <John> Oliver, the glasse-painter, was the other.
He is but of midling stature, something crooked, pale faced, and his face but little belowe, but his head is lardge; his eie full and popping, and not quick; a grey eie. He haz a delicate head of haire, browne, and of an excellent moist curle. He is and ever was very temperate, and moderate in dyet, etc.
As he is of prodigious inventive head, so is a person of great vertue and goodnes. Now when I have sayd his inventive faculty is so great, you cannot imagine his memory to be excellent, for they are like two bucketts, as one goes up, the other goes downe. He is certainly the greatest mechanick this day in the world. His head lies much more to Geometry then to Arithmetique. He is (1680) a batchelour, and, I beleeve, will never marie. His elder brother left one faire daughter[GB], which is his heire. In fine (which crownes all) he is a person of great suavity and goodnesse.
Scripsit.
...
...
'Twas Mr. Robert Hooke that invented the Pendulum-Watches, so much more usefull than the other watches.