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Delamain became mathematics tutor to Charles I, who was king of Great Britain and Ireland (1625-49). Delamain was the same age as the king he tutored, both being born in 1600. He received £40 per year in this position.
Delamain became a student of Oughtred and although they were great friends at first they had a bitter dispute over the invention of a circular slide rule. Oughtred described the slide rule in 1622 but the circular slide rule was not described by him until 1632. Delamain described a circular slide rule in a 32 page pamphlet Grammelogia which was sent to the King in 1629 and published the following year. His fame as a mathematician rests solely on this work.
Delamain also made mathematical instruments.
He died in the Civil war some time before 1645 about five years before Charles I was executed.
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