Background
Hann was born at Washington, County Durham, where his father was a colliery smith.
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James Hann
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He studied mathematics, in particular the works of William Emerson the fluxionist.
Career
After working as a fireman at a pumping-station at Hebburn, he was for several years on one of the steamers used on the Tyne River for towing vessels. Hann then became a teacher, and kept a school at Friar"s Goose, near Newcastle. An acquaintanceship with Wesley South. B. Woolhouse the mathematician led to Hann"s obtaining a situation as calculator in the Nautical Almanac Office.
A few years later he was appointed writing-master, and then shortly mathematical master at King"s College School, London.
This post he held till his death. Among his pupils was Henry Fawcett.
He died in King"s College Hospital 17 August 1856, aged 57 years. Hann married as a young man, and had several children.
Membership
Hann was elected a member of the Institute of Civil Engineers in 1843, and was an honorary member of the Philosophical Society of Newcastle-on-Tyne.
