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John Napier. John Napier of Merchiston (/ˈneɪpɪər/; 1550 – 4 April 1617) – also signed as Neper, Nepair – named Marvellous Merchiston, was a Scottish landowner known as a mathematician, physicist, and astronomer. He was the 8th Laird of Merchistoun. John Napier is best known as the inventor of logarithms. He also invented the so-called "Napier's bones" and made common the use of the decimal point in arithmetic and mathematics. Napier's birthplace, Merchiston Tower in Edinburgh, Scotland, is now part of the facilities of Edinburgh Napier University. After his death from the effects of gout, Napier's remains were buried in St Cuthbert's Church, Edinburgh. Early life[edit] Merchiston Castle Napier's father was Sir Archibald Napier of Merchiston Castle, and his mother was Janet Bothwell, daughter of the politician and judge Francis Bothwell, Lord of Session, and a sister of Adam Bothwell who became the Bishop of Orkney.
Merchiston Castle from an 1834 woodcut Advances in mathematics[edit] Theology[edit] Napier biography. Born: 1550 in Merchiston Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland Died: 4 April 1617 in Edinburgh, Scotland Click the picture aboveto see six larger pictures Show birthplace location John Napier's father, Archibald Napier, was an important man in late 16th century Scotland. His family had owned the Merchiston estate from the 1430s when one of his ancestors acquired the estate, becoming the first Napare of Merchiston. Before continuing we should comment on the spelling of John Napier.
Little is known about John Napier's early years. I pray you, sir, to send your son John to school; over to France or Flanders; for he cannot learn well at home nor get profit in this most perilous world - that he may be saved in it; - that he may seek honour and profit as I do not doubt that he will... This is a translation of the old Scots that the Bishop of Orkney actually wrote. Napier was educated at St Andrews University, entering the university in 1563 at the age of 13. ...
Y = Nap.log x. Cross-references in MacTutor. John Napier. John Napier biography. Background: John Napier was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, into the Scottish nobility. Since his father was Sir Archibald Napier of Merchiston Castle, and his mother, Janet Bothwell, was the daughter of a member of Parliament, John Napier became the laird (property owner) of Merchiston. Napier's father was only 16 when his son, John, was born. As was the practice for members of nobility, Napier did not enter school until he was 13.
In 1571, Napier turned 21 and returned to Scotland. Napier's father had been deeply interested and involved in religious matters, and Napier himself was no different. Napier had a great interest in astronomy. which led to his contribution to mathematics. Napier realized that all numbers can be expressed in what is now called exponential form, meaning 8 can be written as 23, 16 as 24 and so on. Example: 102 times 105 can be calculated as 10 2+5 or 107. Contributions: Written Works: A Plaine Discovery of the Whole Revelation of St. Famous Quote: Recommended Reads : John Napier biography - Science Hall of Fame. Famous for: Inventing logarithms Bringing the decimal point into common use Inventing a portable calculating tool – 'Napier's bones'.
Napier was a hugely influential figure in the 17th century. He is widely considered to be the first Scotsman to have made a significant contribution to scientific learning. He was respected by mathematicians and scientists worldwide, notably Galileo, Johannes Kepler and Isaac Newton. Napier invented logarithms in 1614. Schools and workplaces universally used adaptations of Napier's logarithmic tables right up to the 1970s, when electronic pocket calculators were widely adopted. Studied in Europe John Napier was born into a wealthy and privileged family at Merchiston, Edinburgh.
As well as having a passionate interest in mathematics, Napier was interested in religious texts. Fame at home and abroad By the time he returned to Scotland in 1571, Napier was an outstanding mathematician, and was also proficient in both Latin and Greek. Logarithms and other devices. John Napier. John Napier Biography – Profile, Childhood, Life & Timeline. Childhood & Early Life Born on 1550, John Napier came from a family of nobles. His father, Sir Archibald Napier, seventh Laird of Merchiston, was an important man of the 16th century Scotland, while his mother Janet Bothwell was a daughter of a member of the Estates of the Parliament.
John Napier did not enrol into a school until the age of thirteen, much in accordance to the practice which was performed by the members of the nobility during that time. However, his stint at the school was a short-lived one as Napier soon dropped out and chose to travel to mainland Europe to further improve his education. Not much is known about his years abroad. Napier returned to Scotland in the year 1571. Theology and Inventions Like Sir Archibald Napier, John Napier too was extremely involved in religious matters. Contributions in Mathematics Napier’s interest in astronomy led way to his interest in mathematics. Personal Life John Napier tied the nuptial knot with Elizabeth Sterling, in the year 1572. Napier, John Biography - S9.com. S9.com / Biographies / Napier, John Napier, John 1550 - John Napier was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, into the Scottish nobility. John Napier was a Scottish scholar who is best known for his invention of logarithms, but other mathematical contributions include a mnemonic for formulas used in solving spherical triangles and two formulas known as Napier's analogies. 1563 - Young John Napier entered St-Salvator's College, University of St-Andrews, at the age of 13. 1571 - Napier turned 21 and returned to Scotland. 1572 - He married Elizabeth Stirling, daughter of Scottish mathematician James Stirling, and bat a castle at Gartnes. 1593 - Napier was anti-Catholic, as evidenced by his book against Catholicism and the papacy (office of the pope) entitled A Plaine Discovery of the Whole Revelation of St. 1614 - Napier first made this discovery known in his book called 'A Description of the Wonderful Canon of Logarithms.' 1619 - Wrote Construction of Logarithms. 1617 - Died on April 4th from gout.
John Napier. John Napier, famous people from Edinburgh. Born in Edinburgh, Edinburgh and the LothiansBorn in 1550 Died on 4th of April 1617 The inventor of logarithms, John Napier, was born in Merchiston Tower, Edinburgh in 1550. His birthplace is now part of Edinburgh Napier University. As a student at St Andrew’s University Napier was drawn to the Book of Revelations and his theological studies led him to predict the end of the world in either 1688 or 1700 - happily his mathematical calculations were more accurate and objective. He developed a strongly anti-papal bent and in his book A Plaine Discovery of the Whole Revelation of St John Napier boldly urged James VI, King of Scotland, to reform and repent. Napier’s most important contributions to mathematics are contained in his book Mirifici Logarithmorum Canonis Descriptio, which described and tabulated the logarithmic functions.
This rendered calculations easier, facilitating advances in astronomy, dynamics, physics and even astrology. Links: Tribute.