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John Napier

John Napier

February 1, 1550 –April 4, 1617

Theologian, Mathematician, Astronomer, Physicist, Inventor, Astrologer

Lived 67 years

Born in
Merchiston Tower
Passed away in
Edinburgh

John Napier of Merchiston ( NAY-pee-ər; Latinized as Ioannes Neper; 1 February 1550 – 4 April 1617), nicknamed Marvellous Merchiston, was a Scottish landowner known as a mathematician, physicist and astronomer. He was the 8th Laird of Merchiston. Napier is best known as the discoverer of logarithms. He also invented the Napier's bones calculating device and popularised the use of the decimal point in arithmetic.

Napier's birthplace, Merchiston Tower in Edinburgh, is now part of the facilities of Edinburgh Napier University. There is a memorial to him at St Cuthbert's Parish Church at the west end of Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh.

Notable works: Mirifici logarithmorum canonis descriptio, Napier's bones, Location arithmetic, Rabdology, Promptuary, Plaine Discovery of the Whole Revelation of Saint John Education: University of St Andrews

Source: Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Napier