John Napier

Summary

John Napier is a human^[1]. His place of birth was Merchiston Tower^[2]. He was born on February 1, 1550^[3]. He died in Edinburgh^[4]. He died on April 4, 1617^[5]. He worked as a theologian^[6], mathematician^[7], astronomer^[8], physicist^[9], and inventor^[10]. He ranks in the top 0.69% of human entities by monthly Wikipedia readership (491 views/month, #6,877 of 1,000,298).^[11]

Key Facts

• Born in Merchiston Tower^[2], John Napier…
• John Napier died in Edinburgh^[4].
• John Napier was born on February 1, 1550^[3].
• John Napier died on April 4, 1617^[5].
• John Napier is buried at St Cuthbert's Church, Edinburgh^[12].
• Burial took place at St Giles' Cathedral^[13].
• John Napier's father was Archibald Napier^[14].
• John Napier's mother was Janet Bothwell^[15].
• Among John Napier's spouses was Elizabeth Stirling^[16].
• Among John Napier's spouses was Agnes Chisholm^[17].
• A child of John Napier was Joan Napier^[18].
• A child of John Napier was Archibald Napier, 1st Lord Napier^[19].
• A child of John Napier was William Napier of Ardinmoir^[20].
• A child of John Napier was John Napier^[21].
• A child of John Napier was Adam Napier^[22].
• A child of John Napier was Jane Napier^[23].
• John Napier held citizenship in Kingdom of Scotland^[24].
• John Napier worked as a theologian^[6].
• John Napier's professions included mathematician^[7].
• John Napier's professions included astronomer^[8].
• John Napier's professions included physicist^[9].
• John Napier's professions included inventor^[10].
• John Napier's professions included astrologer^[25].
• John Napier's field of work was mathematics^[26].
• John Napier was educated at University of St Andrews^[27].

Body

Origins and Family

John Napier was born in Merchiston Tower^[2]. He was born on February 1, 1550^[3]. His father was Archibald Napier^[14]. His mother was Janet Bothwell^[15].

Education

John Napier's education included a stint at University of St Andrews^[27].

Career and Affiliations

Recorded occupations include theologian^[6], mathematician^[7], astronomer^[8], physicist^[9], inventor^[10], and astrologer^[25]. John Napier's field of work was mathematics^[26].

Works and Contributions

Notable works include Mirifici logarithmorum canonis descriptio^[28], a scientific work^[29]; Napier's bones^[30], a mathematical instrument^[31]; Location arithmetic^[32], a mathematical instrument^[33]; Rabdology^[34], a literary work^[35]; Promptuary^[36], a mathematical instrument^[37]; and Plaine Discovery of the Whole Revelation of Saint John^[38]. Things named for John Napier include Euler's number^[39], a transcendental number^[40]; Napier's bones^[41], a mathematical instrument^[42]; neper^[43], a logarithmic unit^[44]; nat^[45]; Napierian logarithm^[46]; Napier's analogies^[47]; and 5558 Johnnapier^[48].

Personal Life

Spouses include Elizabeth Stirling^[16], 1556–1579^[49] and Agnes Chisholm^[17], 1558–1617^[50]. Children include Joan Napier^[18]; Archibald Napier, 1st Lord Napier^[19], a judge^[51], 1576–1645^[52], of Kingdom of Scotland^[53]; William Napier of Ardinmoir^[20]; John Napier^[21]; Adam Napier^[22]; and Jane Napier^[23]. His religion is recorded as Church of Scotland^[54].

Death and Burial

John Napier died on April 4, 1617^[5]. He passed away in Edinburgh^[4]. Recorded place of burial include St Cuthbert's Church, Edinburgh^[12] and St Giles' Cathedral^[13].

Why It Matters

John Napier ranks in the top 0.69% of human entities by monthly Wikipedia readership (491 views/month, #6,877 of 1,000,298).^[11] He has Wikipedia articles in 28 language editions, a strong signal of global cultural recognition.^[55] He is known by 38 alternative names across languages and contexts.^[56]

He has been cited as an influence by Henry Briggs^[57], a mathematician^[58], 1561–1630^[59], of Kingdom of England^[60].

He is credited with the discovery of logarithm^[61], a type of mathematical function^[62] and Napier's bones^[63], a mathematical instrument^[64]. Works attributed to him include Napierian logarithm^[65], a function^[66], founded in 1614^[67] and Mirifici logarithmorum canonis descriptio^[68], a scientific work^[69]. Entities named for him include Euler's number^[39], a transcendental number^[40]; Napier's bones^[41], a mathematical instrument^[42]; neper^[43], a logarithmic unit^[44]; nat^[45]; Napierian logarithm^[46]; and Napier's analogies^[47].

FAQs

Where was John Napier born?

Born in Merchiston Tower^[2], John Napier…

Where did John Napier die?

John Napier died in Edinburgh^[4].

Who were John Napier's parents?

John Napier's father was Archibald Napier^[14]. John Napier's mother was Janet Bothwell^[15].

Who was John Napier married to?

John Napier's spouses include Elizabeth Stirling^[16] and Agnes Chisholm^[17].

What did John Napier do for work?

John Napier worked as theologian^[6], mathematician^[7], astronomer^[8], physicist^[9], and inventor^[10].

Where did John Napier go to school?

John Napier was educated at University of St Andrews^[27].

Who did John Napier influence?

John Napier has been cited as an influence by Henry Briggs^[57].

What did John Napier discover?

John Napier is credited as discoverer of logarithm^[61] and Napier's bones^[63].