690B Cocker, Edward. (1631-1675) Cocker’s Decimal Arithmetick: Wherein is shewed the Nature and Use of Decimal Fractions, in the usual Rules of Arithmetick, and in the Mensuration of Planes and Solids. Together with Tables of Interest, and Rebate for the valuation of Leafes and Annuities, Present, or in Reversion, and Rules for Calculating of those Tables. Whereunto is added His Artificial Arithmetick, shewing the Genesis or Fabrick of the Logarithmes, and their Use in the Extraction of Roots, the Solving of Questions in Anatocisme, and in other Arithmetical Rules in a Method not usually practised. Also His Algebraical Arithmetick, containing the Doctrine of Composing and Resolving an Equation; with all other Rules requisite for the understanding of that mysterious Art, according to the Method used by Mr. John Kersey in his Incomparable Treatise of Algebra. Composed by Edward Cocker, late Practioner in the Arts of Writing, Arithmetik, and Engraving. Perused, Corrected, and Published By John Hawkins, Writing-Master at St. Georges-Church in Southwark.

London: Printed by J. Richardson, for Tho. Passinger, at the Three Bibles on London-Bridge, and Tho. Lacy, at the Golden-Lyon in Southwark, 1685

***SOLD***

Octavo, 6.5 x 3.8 in. First edition. A-Z8, Aa-Ff8. This copy is bound in full modern calfskin with a label on the spine.

In 1657, Cocker “was living on the south side of St. Paul’s Churchyard, over against St. Paul’s Chain where he taught the art of writing and arithmetic in an extraordinary manner. In 1661 a warrant was issued to pay Edward Cocker, scrivener and engraver, 150 pounds as a gift. His advertisements in ‘The Newes,’ September and October 1664, set forth that he [intended to start] at Michaelmas a public school for writing and arithmetic, and take in boarders, near St. Paul’s. Pepys mentions him several times in 1664, describing him as ‘very ingenious and well-read in all our English poets,’ and a pleasant companion. He had collected a large library of rare manuscripts and printed books on science in various languages. His quaint poems and distichs show some poetical ability; and if he was the author of Cocker’s Arithmetick his fame is well deserved, for the book is well written and suited to the wants of his day. His sudden death at an early age is sufficient to account for this and other works being left for posthumous publication by his friend John Hawkins, a probable successor in a school originally founded by Cocker near St. George’s Church, Southwark. Hatton in his New View of London, 1722, writing of St. George’s Church, Southwark says he ‘learned from the sexton that the famous Mr. Cocker was buried in the passage at the west end near the school,’ and John Hawkins, whose school had been there, lies close by.” (DNB)

Wing C-4833; TC II, 109