(c.1519-c.1552)

Buckley was from Lilleshall in Shropshire.  He was probably a pupil at the abbey there before being sent to Eton College. At about the age of 18-years he was admitted to King’s College, Cambridge where he took up a scholarship for talented pupils.  In 1541 he received his degree and four years later became a Master. His studies resulted in the publication of mathematical textbooks which led to him being employed to teach the subject to King Edward VI and his companions for three years from 1544 to 1548. 

            Buckley wrote Arithmetica Memorativa, in rhyme, to help pupils remember the laws of mathematics. In addition, he created a short introduction to mathematics which contained an explanation of Euclid’s De Arte Geometria. While he taught at King’s he also distributed copies of Euclid to his students at his own expense.  His interests were not limited to mathematics; he produced a treatise of astronomical ring dials, in 1546, which he dedicated to Elizabeth who was 11-years-old at the time.  He also worked with Thomas Gemini, the Flemish instrument maker who settled in London.  The instruments were etched with scales representing hours, dates and points on the zodiac.  He is associated with an astronomical quadrant made for the king and another which he bequeathed to John Cheke.  Ownership of scientific instruments, his use of practical guides and his desire for accuracy marked him as a Renaissance scholar.

            In 1548, by which time Cheke was provost of King’s College, Buckley returned to Cambridge to teach arithmetic and geometry.  On 4 January, 1549 King Edward appointed him to the prebendary of Lichfield but Buckley resigned the post soon afterwards.  In 1550, the king, who admired the mathematician, gave him the post of tutor at Greenwich to the royal henchmen, or pages, with an annual pension of £40.  Buckley made his will in July 1551 and is thought to have died the following year, a relatively young man. His will reflected that he was a reformer. He left no money or property to the church and left no requests that prayers might be said for the benefit of his soul.^[i]

^[i] Salter, p.132