JOHN NAPIER
(1550-1617)

Born at Merchiston, Edinburgh, Napier was a man of great intellect, persistence and will, known best for his development of logarithms in the field of mathematics.

He had diverse interests outside his solitary and studious life, including treasure hunting, agricultural chemistry, and divination.

He was also responsible for inventing the world's first computing device, nicknamed 'Napier's Bones' on account of its design.

'Constructio', which described the means by which he constructed the log tables, was published after his death.

Napier's Bones

Napier, Edinburgh's newest University is named after him.