John Napier
Scottish mathematician, physicist, and astronomer (1550–1617)
John Napier (he also signed as Neper, and Nepair)[1] 1550 – 4 April 1617) was a Scottish landowner, nicknamed "Marvellous Merchiston". He was a mathematician, physicist, and astronomer. He was the 8th Laird of Merchiston. His Latinized name was Ioannes Neper.
John Napier | |
---|---|
![]() John Napier (1550–1617) | |
Born | 1550 |
Died | 4 April 1617 Edinburgh, Scotland | (aged 66–67)
Nationality | Scottish |
Alma mater | University of St Andrews |
Known for | Logarithms Napier's bones Decimal notation |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Mathematician |
Influenced | Henry Briggs |
John Napier is best known as the discoverer of logarithms and Napier's constant. He also invented the so-called "Napier's bones" and made common the use of the decimal point in arithmetic and mathematics.[2]
References
change