Obituary notices of fellows deceased

The Harleys can be traced back to a Norse stock of Harlas. Robert Harley's family was settled in Dunfermline for hundreds of years. His father, Robert Harley of Dunfermline, began life as a merchant with property bequeathed to him by his uncle, Sir William Mitchell (a Vice-Admiral who fought with Nelson), but he gave up a good business in Scotland to become a Wesleyan minister in England. His mother was Mary Stevenson, niece of General Stevenson of Ayr. They were living at Seacombe, near Liverpool, when Robert Harley was born (Janurary 23, 1828). When a small boy he was devoted to swimming but found arithmetic the most irksome of his studies. He was in this respect very backward, but seems suddenly to have developed talent and enthusiasm while at school at Blackburn, which led to his accepting a post as mathematical master at a Seacombe School when he was only 16. Shortly after this he was attracted by the mathematical problems which were appearing in 'The Lady's and Gentleman's Diary.' His interest in the solutions had one very important result, for it brought him into contact with a young barrister, nine years his senior—James Cockle—who later became a distinguished mathematician, a Knight, a Fellow of the Royal Society, and Chief Justice of Queensland, They become life-long friends, and there is no doubt that his scientific work was more influenced by Sir James Cockle than by any other single individual who could be named. When Sir James died in 1895 Mr. Harley Wrote the obituary notice for the Royal Society's 'Proceedings.' At the age of 17 he returned, as head assistant-master, to his old school at Blackburn. This was kept by William Hoole, J. P., a well-remembered mayor of the town, by whom Viscount Morley of Blackburn and many others who have since risen to distinction were educated.