John Napier

Life, Logarithms, and Legacy

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Mathematics, Arithmetic, History
Cover of the book John Napier by Julian Havil, Princeton University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Julian Havil ISBN: 9781400852185
Publisher: Princeton University Press Publication: October 5, 2014
Imprint: Princeton University Press Language: English
Author: Julian Havil
ISBN: 9781400852185
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Publication: October 5, 2014
Imprint: Princeton University Press
Language: English

John Napier (1550–1617) is celebrated today as the man who invented logarithms—an enormous intellectual achievement that would soon lead to the development of their mechanical equivalent in the slide rule: the two would serve humanity as the principal means of calculation until the mid-1970s. Yet, despite Napier's pioneering efforts, his life and work have not attracted detailed modern scrutiny. John Napier is the first contemporary biography to take an in-depth look at the multiple facets of Napier’s story: his privileged position as the eighth Laird of Merchiston and the son of influential Scottish landowners; his reputation as a magician who dabbled in alchemy; his interest in agriculture; his involvement with a notorious outlaw; his staunch anti-Catholic beliefs; his interactions with such peers as Henry Briggs, Johannes Kepler, and Tycho Brahe; and, most notably, his estimable mathematical legacy.

Julian Havil explores Napier’s original development of logarithms, the motivations for his approach, and the reasons behind certain adjustments to them. Napier’s inventive mathematical ideas also include formulas for solving spherical triangles, "Napier’s Bones" (a more basic but extremely popular alternative device for calculation), and the use of decimal notation for fractions and binary arithmetic. Havil also considers Napier’s study of the Book of Revelation, which led to his prediction of the Apocalypse in his first book, A Plaine Discovery of the Whole Revelation of St. John—the work for which Napier believed he would be most remembered.

John Napier assesses one man’s life and the lasting influence of his advancements on the mathematical sciences and beyond.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

John Napier (1550–1617) is celebrated today as the man who invented logarithms—an enormous intellectual achievement that would soon lead to the development of their mechanical equivalent in the slide rule: the two would serve humanity as the principal means of calculation until the mid-1970s. Yet, despite Napier's pioneering efforts, his life and work have not attracted detailed modern scrutiny. John Napier is the first contemporary biography to take an in-depth look at the multiple facets of Napier’s story: his privileged position as the eighth Laird of Merchiston and the son of influential Scottish landowners; his reputation as a magician who dabbled in alchemy; his interest in agriculture; his involvement with a notorious outlaw; his staunch anti-Catholic beliefs; his interactions with such peers as Henry Briggs, Johannes Kepler, and Tycho Brahe; and, most notably, his estimable mathematical legacy.

Julian Havil explores Napier’s original development of logarithms, the motivations for his approach, and the reasons behind certain adjustments to them. Napier’s inventive mathematical ideas also include formulas for solving spherical triangles, "Napier’s Bones" (a more basic but extremely popular alternative device for calculation), and the use of decimal notation for fractions and binary arithmetic. Havil also considers Napier’s study of the Book of Revelation, which led to his prediction of the Apocalypse in his first book, A Plaine Discovery of the Whole Revelation of St. John—the work for which Napier believed he would be most remembered.

John Napier assesses one man’s life and the lasting influence of his advancements on the mathematical sciences and beyond.

More books from Princeton University Press

Cover of the book The Bells in Their Silence by Julian Havil
Cover of the book Ant Encounters by Julian Havil
Cover of the book Power, Speed, and Form by Julian Havil
Cover of the book Birds of New Guinea by Julian Havil
Cover of the book Sovereignty by Julian Havil
Cover of the book Syllabus of Errors by Julian Havil
Cover of the book Invisible Listeners by Julian Havil
Cover of the book Ethical Life by Julian Havil
Cover of the book The Everlasting Empire by Julian Havil
Cover of the book Economics for Lawyers by Julian Havil
Cover of the book The Good Immigrants by Julian Havil
Cover of the book The Closed Commercial State by Julian Havil
Cover of the book On Whitman by Julian Havil
Cover of the book Pillars of Prosperity by Julian Havil
Cover of the book Non-Archimedean Tame Topology and Stably Dominated Types (AM-192) by Julian Havil
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy