John Theophilus Desaguliers | |
|---|---|
 John Theophilus Desaguliers (1683–1744) | |
| Born | Jean Théophile Desaguliers 12 March 1683 |
| Died | 29 February 1744 (aged 60) Covent Garden, London, England |
| Alma mater | Christ Church, Oxford |
| Known for | Dissemination of Newtonian ideas, planetarium, ventilation, hydraulics, steam engines |
| Awards | FRS (1714) Copley Medal (1734, 1736, 1741) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Natural philosophy Engineering |
| Institutions | University of Oxford |
| Academic advisors | John Keill |
| Notable students | Stephen Demainbray Willem 's Gravesande Stephen Gray |
John Theophilus Desaguliers FRS (12 March 1683 – 29 February 1744) was a French-born British natural philosopher, clergyman, engineer and freemason who was elected to the Royal Society in 1714 as experimental assistant to Isaac Newton. He had studied at Oxford and later popularized Newtonian theories and their practical applications in public lectures. Desaguliers's most important patron was James Brydges, 1st Duke of Chandos. As a Freemason, Desaguliers was instrumental in the success of the first Grand Lodge in London in the early 1720s and served as its third Grand Master.