Portrait of John Napier

    Date
    late 18th century
    Sitter
    John Napier (1550 - 1617, Scottish) , Mathematician
    Creator
    John Beugo (1759 - 1841, British) , Engraver
    Object type
    Archive reference number
    Material
    Technique
    Dimensions
    height (page): 350mm
    width (page): 250mm
    Subject
    Description
    Head and shoulders portrait of John Napier turned slightly to the left [as viewed], wearing a black cap and white ruff, in an oval frame with a laurel wreath.

    Inscribed below: ‘NAPIER OF MERCHISTON
    The famous inventor of the Logarithms, to whom the title of a GREAT MAN is more justly due […]’

    Engraving from MS/648/2, Collectanea Newtoniana. A collection of prints and original artworks relating to Sir Isaac Newton, compiled and arranged by Charles Turnor, 1837.

    John Napier of Merchiston (1550-1617), Scottish mathematician, is best known as the discoverer of logarithms. He was not a Fellow of the Royal Society.
    Object history
    Charles Turnor presented his Collectanea Newtoniana. Being a selection of the most authentic engraved portraits of Sir Isaac Newton Knt., and other eminent Philosophers Mathematicians and Distinguished Men … to the Royal Society in 1837.
    Related fellows
    Isaac Newton (1642 - 1727, British) , Natural philosopher
    Charles Turnor (1768 - 1853) , Collector
    Associated place
    <The World>
       > Europe
          > United Kingdom
             > Scotland
    Credit
    ©The Royal Society
    Image number
    RS.18948
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