Wesley S. B. Woolhouse

Wesley Stoker Barker Woolhouse (6 May 1809 – 12 August 1893) was an English actuary with diverse interests in music theory, the design of steam locomotives, measurements, and many other fields, publishing books in all these fields.

He was born in North Shields, England, and at the age of thirteen won a mathematical prize offered by The Ladies' Diary, competing against the adult competition.

In 1844 he became editor of The Lady's and Gentleman's Diary, and continued in this role until 1865.

A problem he published in The Lady's and Gentleman's Diary was the inspiration for Thomas Kirkman to publish his first mathematical work, on Kirkman's schoolgirl problem, beginning the mathematical study of combinatorial designs.

He died on 12 August 1893 and was buried in a family grave on the western side of Highgate Cemetery.