Thomas Tompion (1639–1713): The Father of English Clockmaking Early Life and Background: Born in Northwich, Cheshire, England, in 1639, Thomas Tompion’s early life remains somewhat obscure. He began his career as a comb maker before entering the service of Henry Harris, a London watchmaker, around 1660. This apprenticeship provided him with foundational skills in horology and marked the beginning of his ascent to becoming one of En…