John Napier
Scottish mathematician, physicist, and astronomer (1550–1617) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.
Quick Facts Born, Died ...
John Napier | |
---|---|
Born | 1550 |
Died | 4 April 1617(1617-04-04) (aged 66–67) Edinburgh, Scotland |
Nationality | Scottish |
Alma mater | University of St Andrews |
Known for | Logarithms Napier's bones Decimal notation |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Mathematician |
Influenced | Henry Briggs |
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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]