Robert Jones (artilleryman)

Robert Jones (c. 1740) was a lieutenant in the artillery corps of the British Army, who wrote the first book on figure skating. He was known for popularising figure skating in Great Britain, and for his 1772 trial for sodomy.

Jones wrote A New Treatise on Artificial Fireworks, which was published in 1765. His book A Treatise on Skating, published in London in 1772, went through several print runs. In it, he describes in one full page how to perform a "Flying Mercury" maneuver which leaves behind it a spiral in the ice, and describes in another full page the manner in which can "cut the Figure of a Heart on one Leg."

Jones was tried at the Old Bailey and convicted of sodomy in July 1772; the victim was a boy, Francis Henry Hay, aged about thirteen. Jones was found guilty and sentenced to death He then applied to King George III for a pardon, and successfully received one. The terms of the pardon were that he transport himself for life to any part of the world of his choosing; his destination was thought to be Florence The politician John Wilkes tried to capitalize on outrage at the royal pardon, alleging that the King was being manipulated by secret sodomites at court.

Works

 * A new treatise on artificial fireworks: Containing I. The method of refining and pulverising of salt-petre. II. Of extracting salt-petre from damaged gun-powder. III. Of the ingredients used in fireworks. IV. To restore damaged gun-powder to its proper strength. V. Of the compositions for fireworks. VI. Of the proportion of moulds for sky-rockets, wheel-cases, serpents, &c. VII. Of such works as shew themselves in the air. VIII. Of works for the water. IX. Of fixed, moveable, projected, and transparent pieces. The whole illustrated with five copper plates, exhibiting the figures of several pieces of fireworks. London: Printed for the author ; And sold by J. Millan, near White-Hall ; T. Lewis, Russel-Street, Covent-Garden ; and Richardson and Urquhart, at the Royal-Exchange, MDCCLXV. [1765]
 * A treatise on skating : founded on certain principles deduced from many years experience: by which that noble exercise is now reduced to an art, and may be taught and learned by a regular Method, with both Ease and Safety. The Whole illustrated with Copper-Plates, representing the Attitudes and Graces. London: Printed for the author : And sold by J. Ridley, in St. James's Street, MDCCLXXII. [1772]