John Napier
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Summary
John Napier was born on February 1, 1550[1], in Merchiston Tower[2]. He died on April 4, 1617[3], in Edinburgh[4]. He worked as a theologian[5], mathematician[6], astronomer[7], physicist[8], and inventor[9]. He ranks in the top 0.69% of human entities by monthly Wikipedia readership (3,758 views/month, #6,877 of 1,000,298).[10]
Key Facts
- Place of burial: St Cuthbert's Church, Edinburgh[11], St Giles' Cathedral[12]
- Father: Archibald Napier[13]
- Mother: Janet Bothwell[14]
- Spouse: Elizabeth Stirling[15], Agnes Chisholm[16]
- Child: Joan Napier[17], Archibald Napier, 1st Lord Napier[18], William Napier of Ardinmoir[19], John Napier[20], Adam Napier[21], Jane Napier[22], Elizabeth Napier[23], Anne Napier[24], Helen Napier[25], Margaret Napier[26], Robert Napier[27]
- Country of citizenship: Kingdom of Scotland[28]
- Occupation: astrologer[29]
- Field of work: mathematics[30]
- Educated at: University of St Andrews[31]
- Notable work: Mirifici logarithmorum canonis descriptio[32], Napier's bones[33], Location arithmetic[34], Rabdology[35], Promptuary[36], Plaine Discovery of the Whole Revelation of Saint John[37]
- Religion or worldview: Church of Scotland[38]
- Sex or gender: male[39]
- Commons category: John Napier (mathematician)[40]
- Family name: Napier[41]
- Given name: John[42]
- Topic's main category: Category:John Napier (mathematician)[43]
- Depicted by: John Napier of Merchiston, 1550 - 1617. Discoverer of logarithms[44], John Napier of Merchiston; (1550-1617)[45]
- Described by source: Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)[46], Dictionary of National Biography, 1885–1900[47], Small Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary[48], Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary[49], BEIC Digital Library[50], New Encyclopedic Dictionary[51], The Nuttall Encyclopædia[52], Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition[53]
Body
Works and Contributions
Things named for John Napier include Euler's number[54], a transcendental number[55]; Napier's bones[56], a mathematical instrument[57]; neper[58], a logarithmic unit[59]; nat[60]; Napierian logarithm[61]; Napier's analogies[62]; and 5558 Johnnapier[63].
Why It Matters
John Napier has Wikipedia articles in 28 language editions, a strong signal of global cultural recognition.[64] He is known by 50 alternative names across languages and contexts.[65]
He has been cited as an influence by Henry Briggs[66], a mathematician[67], 1561–1630[68], of Kingdom of England[69].
He is credited with the discovery of logarithm[70], a type of mathematical function[71] and Napier's bones[72], a mathematical instrument[73]. Works attributed to him include Napierian logarithm[74], a function[75], founded in 1614[76] and Mirifici logarithmorum canonis descriptio[77], a scientific work[78]. Entities named for him include Euler's number[54], a transcendental number[55]; Napier's bones[56], a mathematical instrument[57]; neper[58], a logarithmic unit[59]; nat[60]; Napierian logarithm[61]; and Napier's analogies[62].
FAQs
Where was John Napier born?
John Napier's place of birth was Merchiston Tower[2].
Where did John Napier die?
John Napier died in Edinburgh[4].
Who were John Napier's parents?
John Napier's father was Archibald Napier[13]. John Napier's mother was Janet Bothwell[14].
Who was John Napier married to?
John Napier's spouses include Elizabeth Stirling[15] and Agnes Chisholm[16].
What did John Napier do for work?
John Napier worked as a theologian[5], mathematician[6], astronomer[7], physicist[8], and inventor[9].
Where did John Napier go to school?
John Napier was educated at University of St Andrews[31].
Who did John Napier influence?
John Napier has been cited as an influence by Henry Briggs[66].
What did John Napier discover?
John Napier is credited as discoverer of logarithm[70] and Napier's bones[72].