Sir John Lubbock, 3rd Baronet
Sir John William Lubbock, 3rd Baronet | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Westminster, England |
| Died | June 21, 1865 (aged 62) |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, barrister, mathematician, astronomer |
| Known for | Contributions to tidal research; Fellow of the Royal Society; Vice-Chancellor of the University of London |
Sir John William Lubbock, 3rd Baronet, FRS (26 March 1803 – 21 June 1865), was a distinguished English figure known for his contributions as a banker, barrister, mathematician, and astronomer.
Life
He was born in Westminster to Sir John William Lubbock, owner of Lubbock & Co bank. His education included Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated in 1825. That same year, he joined his father's banking firm as a partner.
In 1828, he was elected a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and the following year became a fellow of the Royal Society. Among English mathematicians, he was recognized for embracing Laplace’s theory of probability. He became a member of the Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge in 1829 and held leadership roles at the Royal Society, serving as Treasurer from 1830 to 1835 and again from 1838 to 1845, as well as Vice-President during 1830–1835, 1836–1837, and 1838–1846.
During the 1830s, Lubbock made important advancements in tidal research, developing pioneering cotidal maps—depicting locations experiencing simultaneous high tide—and was awarded the Royal Medal in 1834 for this achievement.
He was appointed the inaugural Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, serving from 1837 until 1842; this position was later held by his eldest son, Sir John Lubbock, 4th Baronet (eventually Baron Avebury). Additionally, he fulfilled the role of Sheriff of Kent in 1852.
As head of Lubbock & Co, he largely withdrew from active management by around 1840 but supervised its consolidation into Robarts, Lubbock & Co in 1860.
High Elms
Lubbock undertook substantial renovations at the family estate located at High Elms near Downe village in Kent. His land bordered Down House, where Charles Darwin took residence in 1842. Although Darwin initially found Lubbock somewhat reserved, their families sustained amicable relations over time. Notably, John Lubbock’s son developed a close friendship with Darwin. In 1846, Lubbock leased an area adjacent to Down House to Darwin for planting woodlands and creating the Sandwalk path that Darwin frequented for daily walks.
Family
In 1833, he married Harriet Hotham; together they had eleven children.
Their firstborn son, John, distinguished himself as both a scientist and banker before being elevated to the peerage as Baron Avebury.
The youngest son, Edgar, achieved success in football by winning the FA Cup with Wanderers in 1872 and again with Old Etonians in 1879. He also played cricket representing Kent County Cricket Club.
Another son, Alfred, participated in the 1875 FA Cup Final with Old Etonians and was active as a cricketer for Kent; similarly, a third son, Nevile, played county cricket for Kent. Among his descendants was the writer Basil Lubbock.