MacTutor
Stephen Parkinson was born at Keighley, in the West Riding of Yorkshire, in 1823. He received his early education privately and was subsequently elected to a scholarship at St. John's College, Cambridge, which in due course was changed for a foundation scholarship, as it was evident that he was a student of unusual diligence and ability. In the Mathematical Tripos of 1845, Mr. Parkinson came out as Senior Wrangler, and when it is remembered that the second place was filled by Sir William Thomson, it is plain that his work must have been of more than ordinary excellence. In the competition for the Smith's Prizes, Sir William Thomson asserted his unusual gifts, but Mr. Parkinson easily distanced all others for the second prize.
After this achievement, Mr. Parkinson was elected to a fellowship of his college and settled down to private teaching. He eventually succeeded the Rev. J. B. Mayor as tutor, and to this post, with a lectureship attached, he devoted himself for 20 years. Ordained at Ely upon his fellowship, Mr. Parkinson proceeded B.D. in 1855, and D.D. in 1868. The Cambridge Review states that, "As a lecturer he was distinguished by unusual lucidity of exposition, and he published an Elementary Treatise on Mechanics, and a Treatise on Optics, which had wide vogue among students. As a tutor Dr. Parkinson is remembered by his pupils for his excellent business qualities, especially his care not to spare any trouble in giving explanations by assuming that his pupils were already perfectly acquainted with the matter in hand; but still more for his frankness and kindness of heart." Among his college pupils were four senior wranglers, Moulton, Pendlebury, Ward, and MacAlister.
Dr. Parkinson briefly acted as President of his college. He examined for the Mathematical Tripos in 1849 and 1852, and was on the Council of the Senate more than once. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society, and was elected a Fellow of this Society March 11, 1853.
After this achievement, Mr. Parkinson was elected to a fellowship of his college and settled down to private teaching. He eventually succeeded the Rev. J. B. Mayor as tutor, and to this post, with a lectureship attached, he devoted himself for 20 years. Ordained at Ely upon his fellowship, Mr. Parkinson proceeded B.D. in 1855, and D.D. in 1868. The Cambridge Review states that, "As a lecturer he was distinguished by unusual lucidity of exposition, and he published an Elementary Treatise on Mechanics, and a Treatise on Optics, which had wide vogue among students. As a tutor Dr. Parkinson is remembered by his pupils for his excellent business qualities, especially his care not to spare any trouble in giving explanations by assuming that his pupils were already perfectly acquainted with the matter in hand; but still more for his frankness and kindness of heart." Among his college pupils were four senior wranglers, Moulton, Pendlebury, Ward, and MacAlister.
Dr. Parkinson briefly acted as President of his college. He examined for the Mathematical Tripos in 1849 and 1852, and was on the Council of the Senate more than once. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society, and was elected a Fellow of this Society March 11, 1853.
Stephen Parkinson's obituary appeared in Journal of the Royal Astronomical Society 50:4 (1890), 167-168.