Biography of john napier


Short biography of john napier.

Biography of john napier

  • Biography of john napier and wife
  • Short biography of john napier
  • John napier contributions to mathematics
  • John napier interesting facts

    • John Napier

    Quick Info

    Born
    1550
    Merchiston Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland
    Died
    4 April 1617
    Edinburgh, Scotland
    Summary
    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.

    Biography

    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. (We shall comment shortly on the different spellings of Napier's name.) The family also owned estates at Lennox and at Menteith and a residence at Gartness.

    Archibald Napier married Janet Bothwell, the sister of the Bishop of Orkney, in 1549 when he was only 15 years old. Their son John Napier was born the following year. Archibald Napier was a justice-depute and wa