People of Note
William Joseph Simmonite
Dr William Joseph Simmonite was born at Whiston in 1809, the son of Joseph and Frances Simmonite. He was a Professor of Medicine and Mathematics, and a prominent Herbalist,teaching at the Bethel Academy, Coalpit Lane, Sheffield in 1837.
In 1852 he was living and working from his home at 60 St George's Square Sheffield.
He died at Sheffield in 1863.It is said that next to R. J. Morrison, the most influential astrological publicist of the early Victorian era, was undoubtedly William Joseph Simmonite
Astro-meteorology shared forms and audiences with phrenology, mesmerists, scientific demonstrations, and instrumental exhibitions in the Victorian market for scientific amusement. However, astrology was illegal and its practitioners in danger of persecution and imprisonment. Simmonite refused personal interviews following the prosecution of a a colleague and ran his practice by correspondence to avoid entrapment. ¹. This could be further explained - his brother Henry was sentenced to prison for a month in 1862, charged with obtaining money under false pretences for Fortune Telling. At the time William was living with Henry in Sheffield, and kept a druggists shop in Corporation Street, Sheffield.
It is said that Simmonite, in his Scientific and Literary Messenger, published in 1842, was traditional in his approach. He described the influence of the Moon on the atmosphere, stating that the atmosphere changed when the Moon reached the Sun's declination. He also listed the angular positions of planets by zodiacal sign.
The Astro-Philosopher and Meteorologist. Published in 1848. Largely devoted to astrology, it includes an essay on The Physical Constitution of Comets, and another devoted to 'Showing the effects of the Planets, Jupiter and Saturn in Accelerating or Retarding the Movements of Comets'
Horary Astrology, published in 1851, described as a utilitarian text book on Horary Astrology designed to, with a few weeks study, convince students of the feasibility of foretelling the result of any important undertaking or event. Horary Astrology, which Simmonite denominated as Prognostic Astronomy, is the sublime art of foreseeing events from the position of the heavenly bodies and stars; and for seasons, and for days, and for years. 'Nothing more than this volume and Astronomical Ephemeris is required for the student to practice Horary Astrology, or answer his own or his friends questions'.
William Joseph Simmonite was described as, a gentleman, a man of talent and character.
An advert from The Leeds Mercury, Saturday, April 3, 1841. This was the first book published by William J. Simmonite.
Books by W. J. Simmonite
- The Practical Self-teaching Grammar of the English Language, 1841
- The Simmonite-Culpepper Herbal Remedies
- Medical Botany: Or Herbal Guide to Health
- The Celestial Philosopher, 1848
- Horary Astrology: The Key To Scientific Prediction Being The Prognostic... Published 1851.
- Arcana of Astrology
- Complete Arcana of Astral Philosophy
- Medical Botany ... Revised and modernized edition
Reference: 1. Skyscript
