Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Exley, Thomas
EXLEY, THOMAS (1775–1855), mathematician, was born at Gowdall, a village one mile west of Snaith in Yorkshire. Having taken the degree of M.A. (but at what university is unknown), he settled some time before 1812 as a mathematical teacher at Bristol. In that year he brought out with the Rev. William Moore Johnson, then curate of Henbury, Gloucestershire, a useful compilation entitled ‘The Imperial Encyclopædia; or, Dictionary of the Sciences and Arts; comprehending also the whole circle of Miscellaneous Literature,’ &c., 4 vols. 4to, London [1812]. By 1848 he had given up keeping school, and retired to Cotham Park Road, Bristol. He died 17 Feb. 1855, aged 80. Dr. Adam Clarke [q. v.], in whose defence he frequently wrote, was his brother-in-law. He was an early member of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, and read several papers at its meetings. His other writings are: 1. ‘A Vindication of Dr. Adam Clarke, in answer to Mr. Moore's Thoughts on the Eternal Sonship of the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, addressed to the People called Methodists,’ &c., 8vo, Bristol [1817]. 2. ‘Reply to Mr. Watson's Remarks on the Eternal Sonship of Christ; and the Use of Reason in matters of Revelation. Suggested by several passages in Dr. Adam Clarke's Commentary on the New Testament. To which are added Remarks on Mr. Boyd's Letters on the same subject in the Methodist Magazine,’ 8vo, London, 1818. 3. ‘The Theory of Parallel Lines perfected; or, the twelfth axiom of Euclid's Elements demonstrated,’ 8vo, London, 1818. 4. ‘Principles of Natural Philosophy; or, a new Theory of Physics, founded on Gravitation, and applied in explaining the General Properties of Matter,’ &c., 8vo, London, 1829. 5. ‘Physical Optics; or, the Phenomena of Optics explained according to Mechanical Science, and on the known Principles of Gravitation,’ 8vo, London, 1834. 6. ‘A Commentary on the First Chapter of Genesis: in which an attempt is made to present that Beautiful and Orderly Narrative in its true light. To which are added a Short Treatise on Geology, showing that the facts asserted by Moses … corroborate Geological Facts, … a short treatise on the Deluge,’ &c., 8vo, London, 1844. In the preface the author states that ‘this work is not a mushroom notion just sprung up; indeed for more than forty years it has occupied my thoughts.’
[Works; Mathews's Bristol Directories; Reports of British Association.]