Researching John Todd

John Todd is a co-founder with Nancy Jack Todd of the non-profits New Alchemy Institute (1969–1991) and Ocean Arks International (1981),and the founder and president of the design and engineering firm John Todd Ecological Design Inc. (1989).A research professor emeritus and distinguished lecturer at the University of Vermont,Todd has published books on ecological design, as well as over 200 scientific papers, popular articles and essays.

Todd won the Sandover Medal in his debut season at just 17 years of age, but his playing career was cut short by a serious knee injury in his second season. While still a player, Todd embarked on a coaching career that spanned over 700 games and lasted over four decades. He became only the second coach to guide three WAFL clubs (, South Fremantle and ) to premierships, and led to its first finals appearance in 1988. Todd is an inaugural Legend of the West Australian Football Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Coaches section of the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2003.

He was born in Carnacally, County Down, Ireland, and grew up near Belfast. He attended Methodist College Belfast after winning a scholarship. In his final year at the College he only studied maths as a result of his desire to become an engineer. He received his BSc degree from Queen's University in 1931, and went to St. John's College at Cambridge University, studying for 2 years with J. E. Littlewood, who advised him against getting a doctorate and just to do research.

He taught at Queens University Belfast 1933-1937, and was an invited speaker at the 1936 ICM in Oslo on "Transfinite Superpositions of Absolutely Continuous Functions"

He worked at King's College in London for the years 1937–1939 (and again 1945–1947), where he met Olga Taussky, a matrix and number theorist (she had also been an invited speaker in Oslo). They were married in 1938. Todd returned to Belfast to teach at Methodist College Belfast 1940-1941. As part of the war effort, he had worked for the British Admiralty 1941-1945. One of Todd's greatest achievements was the preservation of the Mathematical Research Institute of Oberwolfach in Germany at the end of the war.

In 1945 the Todds emigrated to the United States and worked for the National Bureau of Standards. In 1957 they joined the faculty of California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, California.

Todd retired from the faculty, and in May, 2001 was honored by a symposium at Caltech in honor of his 90th birthday. He was called Jack Todd by all who knew him. He died at his home in Pasadena, California on June 21, 2007.

In his public appearances, Todd made a variety of claims about witches, Satanists, and the Illuminati, who he alleged were conspiring against Christians. These purported conspiracies often included government officials and leaders of Christian organizations. Investigative reports in magazines and books said there were many inconsistencies in his statements about anti-Christian conspiracies and his own past.

In 1988 Todd was convicted in South Carolina on charges of rape and sentenced to 30 years in a prison. In 2004 he was released from prison and placed in a psychiatric facility, where he died in 2007.

Madison adopted Todd at age two and tried to help him in what developed as a difficult life. Believed to be alcoholic, Todd was repeatedly jailed for shooting incidents, and ran up debts in gambling. His parents bailed him out of debtors' prison, mortgaging Madison's Montpelier to raise the money. His stepfather had him manage Montpelier at one point, but Todd was unsuccessful. Todd died of typhoid fever less than three years after his mother's death of old age.

One of his first assignments was as Prefect of Discipline at St Patrick's High School, Karachi in the 1950s. Former President Pervez Musharraf attended St. Patrick's School in 1958–59. When he visited the school after becoming president, he recalled Todd giving him a sound caning for misbehaving. Musharraf subsequently presented a cane to Todd on the visit.

He was first vice principal and later principal of St Bonaventure's High School, Hyderabad from 1958–77. He was also instrumental in starting the school band in 1958. In the early 1960s Todd took a break from St. Bonaventure's to act as the principal of St. Mary’s High School, Sukkur and also served as principal of St Francis Grammar School, Quetta. From 2000-06 he was vice principal of St. Patrick's School.

On 6 May 2011, The Old Patricians (former students of the school) presented the Father J. B. Todd OFM Gold Medal to the top student from the eighth grade at the closing ceremony of the 150th anniversary of the school.

On 18 March 2012, at the age of 91, he attended the Old Patricians' St Patrick's Day Reunion dinner.

Among his former students is Bishop Samson Shukardin of Hyderabad. Along with many other former students they gathered at the Karachi Gymkhana to celebrate Todd’s 94th birthday.

Todd, youngest child of Dr. Timothy and Phebe (Buel) Todd, was born in Rutland, Vt., October 9, 1800. In his childhood, his father died, and it was only by his own exertions that he was able to secure a liberal education. He graduated from Yale College in 1822. From college he went to Andover Seminary, where he completed the three years' course, and afterwards remained for nearly a year engaged in advanced study. On the 3d of Jan., 1827, he was ordained first pastor of the Union Church in Groton, Mass., and in the following March was married to Mary S., daughter of Rev. Joab Brace, of Newington, Conn. He resigned his charge at Groton, Jan. 8, 1833, and on the 30th of the same month was installed over the Edwards Church, Northampton, Mass. Here he remained until Nov. 4, 1836, when he removed to Philadelphia, where he was installed pastor of the First Congregational Church, on the 17th of the same month. This position he resigned in Nov, 1841, and soon after removed to Pittsfield, Mass., where he took charge of the First Congregational Church, Jan. 1, 1842, and was installed, Feb. 22. In 1870 he proposed to the church to lay down the active duties of pastor, but at their request his resignation was deferred, until in March, 1872, impaired health enforced his retirement. He died in Pittsfield, after an illness of three months Aug. 24, 1873, in his 73d year. His widow survived him, with five of their nine children, one of whom graduated Yale in 1855. In 1845 Mr. Todd received the degree of D.D. from Williams College, and was elected one of the trustees of that institution, which office he held until 1872. Dr. Todd was remarkably successful as a pastor, and also wielded a powerful influence as an author. He published over thirty volumes, besides many sermons and pamphlets. His most widely known book, "The Student's Manual," was first published in 1835.

The Reverend Doctor Was also notable for having taken part of the Golden Spike Ceremony at Promontory Point, Utah on May 10, 1869. During the event, Dr. Todd gave a prayer that was broadcast throughout the nation.

His was educated at Wellesley College of which he was dux in 1943 (at that time Wellesley College had a secondary department). He later completed a degree in accountancy and commerce at Victoria University of Wellington.

Todd was a Founding trustee of the Arts Foundation of New Zealand, and served as a trustee for the Royal New Zealand Ballet and the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council.

He was made a Knight Companion of New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2012 New Year Honours, for services to business, having previously been appointed a Companion of New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2009 Queen's Birthday Honours.