Francis Wollaston (philosopher)

Francis John Hyde Wollaston (13 April 1762, London – 12 October 1823) was an English natural philosopher and Jacksonian Professor at the University of Cambridge.

He was educated in Scarning, Norfolk and at Charterhouse before entering Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge in 1779.

He graduated as senior wrangler in 1783, became a fellow of Trinity Hall in 1785, and was ordained a priest in 1787.

Resigning his Trinity Hall fellowship to marry Frances Hayles in 1793, he became Rector of South Weald the following year.

On resigning his professorship in 1813, he assumed additional clerical duties: from 1813 to 1823 he was rector of Cold Norton and Archdeacon of Essex.