A portrait thought to be of Robert Hooke.
ONE of Freshwater’s most famous sons is to be recognised with a memorial.
At a Freshwater Parish Council meeting, members approved the siting of a Robert Hooke memorial, opposite Freshwater Library, in the middle of School Green.
Hooke was born in 1635, in a farmhouse, on what is now Hooke Hill, Freshwater, and became a world-renowned scientist.
He excelled in astronomy, mechanics, architecture, geology, physics and physiology, as well as being a skilled craftsman, who invented many of the scientific instruments of the day.
Hooke also invented the universal joint, that is fitted on cars worldwide.
He was the first paid professional scientist and was also the surveyor responsible for planning the new London, after the Great Fire, with his good friend and fellow scientist Christopher Wren.
No authenticated portrait of Hooke exists, a situation sometimes attributed to the heated conflicts between Hooke and Isaac Newton.
Hooke had strong affiliations with the Royal Society and was made its curator in 1661.
But within a few months of Hooke's death, Isaac Newton became the society's president and plans were made for a new meeting place, away from its regular meeting place at Gresham College, London.
When the move finally took place, Hooke's Royal Society portrait mysteriously went missing — and has yet to be found.
There have since been portraits of Hooke, but their authenticity has been questioned and have lacked a verifiable connection to Hooke. Cllr Andy Sutton was pleased the proposed location for Hooke’s memorial at School Green was approved.
He said: "Robert Hooke is one of the most important men in history and it is nice he is getting the recognition he deserves."
The design of the memorial is yet to be decided, but the parish council said a structure to attract and interest people of all ages, would be sought.
Possible funding towards the memorial is also being looked at.
Reporter: jamiew@iwcpmail.co.uk