Background
He was born at Bishop Burton, Yorkshire, on 15 February 1814.
He was born at Bishop Burton, Yorkshire, on 15 February 1814.
He was educated at Street Peter"s School, York, and in 1832 entered Street Edmund Hall, Oxford.
He proceeded Bachelor of Arts 25 May 1836, and Master of Arts 1839. He was elected as a fellow of University College, and he continued for about six years at Street Edmund Hall in the capacity of mathematical lecturer. In 1842, Donkin was elected Savilian professor of astronomy at Oxford, in succession to George Johnson, a post which he held for the remainder of his life.
Soon afterwards he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, and also of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Donkin"s poor health compelled him to live much abroad during the latter part of his life. He died 15 November 1869.
Royal Society.