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Rendition of Richard Price, philosopher and mathematician born in Llangeinor, Wales

Richard Price

Philosopher and mathematician, pioneer of actuarial science

Rev Dr Richard Price (23 February 1723 – 19 April 1791) was a Welsh moral philosopher, Nonconformist minister and mathematician, born at Tynton farm, near Llangeinor, Glamorgan. He became one of the most influential thinkers of the Enlightenment in Britain.

Price moved to London as a young man to work as a Presbyterian minister, but his lasting fame rests on his contributions to mathematics, finance and political philosophy. Elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1765 for his pioneering work on probability applied to actuarial questions, he devised mortality and insurance tables that placed the emerging life-insurance industry on a sound mathematical footing.

He was equally prominent as a political writer. His 1776 pamphlet 'Observations on the Nature of Civil Liberty' argued forcefully for the American colonists' cause, sold in huge numbers on both sides of the Atlantic, and led to him being granted the freedom of the City of London and invited by the United States Congress in 1778 to advise on American finances. In 1781 Yale awarded him an honorary doctorate of laws alongside George Washington. Richard Price died in London on 19 April 1791.

This entry has sometimes been confused online with Dr William Price of Llantrisant (1800–1893), the druidic campaigner remembered for the first legal cremation in modern Britain — a different, unrelated Welsh figure who shares only a similar surname.

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Philosopher and mathematician who devised pioneering actuarial tables and championed American independence.

Price's actuarial work underpinned the modern life-insurance and pension industries, while his political writing made him one of the most widely read British voices in support of the American Revolution. He was inducted into the American Philosophical Society and corresponded with figures including Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.

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Career Highlights

  • Born: 23 February 1723, Tynton, Llangeinor
  • Known for: Pioneering actuarial/insurance tables; support for American independence
  • Category: Scientists / Mathematics
ℹ️ Richard was born on the 23rd of February, 1723, at Tynton farm, near Llangeinor, Glamorgan, Wales.
ℹ️ Richard died on the 19th of April, 1791.

Born at Tynton farm near Llangeinor, Glamorgan

From: SpaceFriday
Richard Pryce wrote to the inhabitants of Boston advising them to throw the English's tea into the harbour!
From: Cymraes
Price upset local people by naming his son Jesus who unfortunately died young. Dr. William Price of Llantrisant South Wales attempted to cremated his son's remains in full view of the public, creating outrage and legal proceedings were taken against him. The following year the judge presiding over Price's case ruled that cremation was a legal procedure, provided that no nuisance was caused to others. Dr. Price went on to cremate his son's remains, which had been stored in his home during the trial. Price also charged admittance to the cremation (which probably upset people more than the cremation itself!) and Dr. Price himself was cremated when he died a few years later. Despite this ruling, only three cremations took place during 1885.
From: joinerjourneym
You are confusing two different people. Rev Richard Price was from Tynton Llangeinor. He supported the independence of the USA and also devised the tables for insurance. Dr William price of Llantrisant had a son called Jesus who died and was cremated by him. He therefore is credited with the introduction of cremation to Britain.
From: vacymro
The Rev Richard price was a remarkable man of many talents similar to Ben Franklin (and a correspondent of Franklin's). He was also the first person offered honorary American citizenship by congress in 1778.
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