Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hacket, James Thomas
HACKET, JAMES THOMAS (1805?–1876), astrologer, born about 1805, was a native of the south of Ireland. In early life he practised as a surveyor. He also possessed respectable mathematical knowledge, which led him about 1826 to join the London Astrological Society, of which he became secretary. In 1836 he published 'The Student's Assistant in Astronomy and Astrology.… Also a Discourse on the Harmony of Phrenology, Astrology, and Physiognomy.' He became more devout as a Roman catholic and eschewed astrology. Latterly he was railway correspondent to the 'Times,' and had been for many years previously reporter on the staff of Herapath's 'Railway and Commercial Journal.' To it he contributed some valuable statistical tables, and John Herapath [q. v.], the mathematician, left him a legacy of 250l. He died suddenly in March 1876, aged 71.
[Athenæum, 15 April 1876, pp. 535-6 ; Herapath's Railway and Commercial Journal, 6 May 1876, p. 518.]