Portrait of John Napier
Image Source: www.nms.ac.uk
Portrait of John Napier
Detail map of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom Overview map of Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

A: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

John Napier Invents Logarithms

1614 to 1617
Title page of first edition Napier's book on Logarithms
Image Source: reader.digitale-sammlungen.de

In 1614 Scottish mathematician, physicist, astronomer & astrologer, and also the 8th Laird of Merchistoun John Napier published from Edinburgh his Mirifici logarithmorum canonis descriptio (The Description of the Wonderful Canon of Logarithms), announcing his invention of logarithms,with the goal of increasing calculating speed and reducing drudgery.

 

Timeline Themes

Mathematics / Logic