Background
He was born in Shropshire, and was admitted to Shrewsbury free grammar school as an "oppidan" in 1571.
He was born in Shropshire, and was admitted to Shrewsbury free grammar school as an "oppidan" in 1571.
He matriculated at Christ Church, Oxford, 17 November 1581, as a "plebeian," and graduated Bachelor of Arts on 5 February 1584. And proceeded Master of Arts
From Brasenose College on 8 July 1591. Entering holy orders, he was appointed rector of Salwarpe in Worcestershire on 14 June 1608, a living he held until 1622. He also occurs as rector of Liddington, Wiltshire, in 1611, though he seems to have resided chiefly at Sion College, London.
Torporley associated with Thomas Harriot and acquired a knowledge of mathematics and astronomy.
He was supported by Henry Percy, 9th Earl of Northumberland, who for several years gave him an annual pension. On 27 November 1605, just after the discovery of the Gunpowder Plot, Torporley was examined by the council for having cast the king"s nativity.
Foreign two or more years he resided in France, and was amanuensis to François Viète of Fontenay, against whom he published a pamphlet under the name of Poulterey. He died in Sion College, London, and was buried in Saint Alphege"s Church on 17 April 1632.