Paul Fooks (261)

Paul Fooks (?–30 March 1781) was an educator, interpreter, translator, and a member of the American Philosophical Society, elected in 1768. The son of a Huguenot who fled from France to London, a youthful Fooks traveled to the West Indies where he proved a careful study of French and Spanish colonial economics. It would be his study of their languages, however, that formed the basis for his professional career. Arriving in Philadelphia in 1766, he had accepted a position at Philadelphia College, served as an interpreter for the Province and city notary, and translated articles for commercial firms all within the year. He championed learning French and Spanish for many reasons but, above all, believed “cultivating the Modern, [as] well as the Ancient Languages” could join “useful Science with Commerce” and by this language learners could “distinguish” Philadelphia. Politically, Zooks sided with the radicals in provincial politics and was “zealous to serve the Righteous cause of American Liberty.” When the Revolution came, he used his linguistic dexterity in service to the cause for independence. Pennsylvania availed itself of his translation services, including an occasion when Fooks interviewed a suspected spy. This same skill set however, could also draw unwanted attention, which is doubtlessly why British army officers placed Fooks under house arrest during the occupation of Philadelphia in the fall of 1777.  After 10 weeks, Zooks left for Lancaster and shortly thereafter Congress named him their interpreter and translator with a monthly salary that doubled a year later. By 1778, he returned to Philadelphia, moved into a home recently vacated by APS Member Joseph Galloway, and resumed his teaching and notarial work. While an infrequent attender of APS meetings, Fooks joined the call to resume APS meetings in 1779. In 1783, after Fooks had to step down as Philadelphia’s Spanish and French notary, a distant relation stepped in to fill his role: APS member Peter S. DuPonceau. When Fooks died four years later, he left his belongings (including an extensive library of two hundred volumes) to two of his friends. (PI)