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James Ferguson (Scottish astronomer)

January 01, 1970

For the American astronomer born in Scotland, see James Ferguson (American astronomer).

James Ferguson (25 April 1710 – 17 November 1776) was a Scottish astronomer.[1] He is known as the inventor and improver of astronomical and other scientific apparatus, as a striking instance of self education and as an itinerant lecturer.

James Ferguson (1710-1776)

Biography edit

Ferguson was born near Rothiemay in Banffshire of humble parents. According to his autobiography, he learned to read by hearing his father teach his elder brother, and with the help of an old woman was able to read quite well before his father thought of teaching him.[2] After his father taught him to write, he was sent at the age of seven for three months to the grammar school at Keith and that was all the formal education he ever received.[3]

His taste for mechanics was about this time accidentally awakened on seeing his father making use of a lever to raise a part of the roof of his house — an exhibition of strength which excited his wonder. In 1720 he was sent to a neighboring farm to keep sheep, where he amused himself by making models of machines, and at night he studied the stars. Afterwards, as a servant with a miller, and then with a doctor, he met with hardships which rendered his constitution feeble through life. Being compelled by his health to return home, he then amused himself with making a clock having wooden wheels and a whalebone spring. When slightly recovered he showed this and some other inventions to a gentleman, who employed him to clean his clocks, and to make his house his home. He there began to draw patterns for needlework, and his success in this art led him to think of becoming a painter.[2]

 Peter Perez Burdett - map makerposs. James Ferguson or Isaac Newton?Earl Ferrers who bought the paintingUse your cursor to explore (or Click "i" to enlarge)
A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery by Joseph Wright of Derby. Use a cursor to see who is who.[4]

In 1734 he went to Edinburgh, where he began to make portraits in miniature, by which means, while engaged in his scientific studies, he supported himself and his family for many years. Subsequently, he settled at Inverness, where he drew up his Astronomical Rotula for showing the motions of the planets, places of the sun and moon, &c., and in 1743 went to London, England, which was his home for the rest of his life. He wrote various papers for the Royal Society of London, of which he became a Fellow in November 1763.[5] He devised astronomical and mechanical models, like globes.[2] Ferguson's globes were inspired by the early 18th Century globes of John Senex. Senex sold him the copper plates for his globe gores, but not the copper plates used for Senex's pocket globe gores. Consequently, Ferguson designed his own pocket globe, producing several editions. Ferguson had some Senex gores re-engraved by a certain James Mynde, showing Admiral Anson's voyages of the years 1740–1744.[6][better source needed]

In 1748, Ferguson began to give public lectures on experimental philosophy, which he repeated in most of the principal towns in England. During his time traveling in England, the well known London bookseller Andrew Millar arranged lectures for him in the spa towns of Royal Tunbridge Wells and Bath.[7] Ferguson's deep interest in his subject, his clear explanations, his ingeniously constructed diagrams, and his mechanical apparatus rendered him one of the most successful of popular lecturers on scientific subjects.[2]

As the inventor and improver of astronomical and other scientific apparatus, and as a striking instance of self education, he claims a place among the most remarkable Scottish scientists.[2]

During the latter years of his life he received a pension of £50 from the privy purse.[2] He died in London on 17 November 1776 and was buried in St Marylebone churchyard.[citation needed]

Legacy edit

Although not as well known nowadays, Ferguson was widely influential in his own time. Thomas Paine mentioned him in his publication "The Age of Reason" and William Herschel studied astronomy from his books.[8] His international reputation was such that he was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1770.[9] The German experimental physicist Georg Christoph Lichtenberg admired Ferguson: "Everything was done by experiments – he had not even chalk and sponge."[10][11]

Works edit

 
Title page of a 1757 copy of Ferguson's "Astronomy Explained upon Sir Isaac Newton's Principles and Made Easy for Those Who Have Not Studied Mathematics"
 
Astronomy explained upon Sir Isaac Newton’s Principles, 1764

Ferguson's principal publications are:

  • Astronomical Tables (1763)
  • Lectures on Select Subjects (first edition, 1760, edited by Sir David Brewster in 1805)
  • Astronomy explained upon Sir Isaac Newton's Principles (1756, edited by Sir David Brewster in 1811)
  • Astronomy explained upon Sir Isaac Newton's Principles. London: Andrew Millar. 1764.
  • Select Mechanical Exercises, with a Short Account of the Life of the Author, written by himself (1773).
  • Introduction to Electricity (First Edition 1770; Second Edition 1775; (1778)).[12]

His autobiography is included in the 1857 biographical dictionary of eminent Scotsmen[13] and in Life by E. Henderson, LL.D. (first edition, 1867; 2nd, 1870), which also contains a full description of Ferguson's principal inventions, accompanied with illustrations.

  •  
    1757 copy of Ferguson's "Astronomy Explained upon Sir Isaac Newton's Principles and Made Easy for Those Who Have Not Studied Mathematics"
  •  
    Table of contents for "Astronomy Explained upon Sir Isaac Newton's Principles and Made Easy for Those Who Have Not Studied Mathematics"
  •  
    Table from "Astronomy Explained upon Sir Isaac Newton's Principles and Made Easy for Those Who Have Not Studied Mathematics"
  •  
    Table from "Astronomy Explained upon Sir Isaac Newton's Principles and Made Easy for Those Who Have Not Studied Mathematics"

Further reading edit

 
Wikisource has original works by or about:
James Ferguson
  • Laudan, Laurens (1970–1980). "Ferguson, James". Dictionary of Scientific Biography. Vol. 4. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons. pp. 565–6. ISBN 978-0-684-10114-9.
  • The Story of the Peasant-Boy Philosopher, by Henry Mayhew (1857).
  • "Wheelwright of the Heavens" by John R. Millburn (In collaboration with Henry C. King) 1988. A revised biography based on Hendersons "Life" but with much additional research.

References edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to James Ferguson (1710-1776).
  1. ^ "Ferguson, James (1710-1776)" . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Chisholm 1911.
  3. ^ Hockey, Thomas (2009). The Biographical Encyclopedia of Astronomers. Springer Publishing. ISBN 978-0-387-31022-0. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
  4. ^ A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery (1764-1766), Revolutionary Players, image from Derby Museum and Art Gallery, Derby, accessed March 2011
  5. ^ "List of Fellows of the Royal Society 1660-2007" (PDF). London: The Royal Society. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
  6. ^ George Glazer James Ferguson www.georgeglazer.com, n.d., retrieved January 2017
  7. ^ "The manuscripts, Letter from Andrew Millar to Andrew Mitchell, 26 August, 1766. See footnote no. 36". www.millar-project.ed.ac.uk. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  8. ^ James Ferguson (1710-1776) Famous sons of Rothiemay, district of Rothiemay, n.d., retrieved January 10, 2017
  9. ^ "APS Member History". search.amphilsoc.org.
  10. ^ Unpublished manuscript of a university lecture. Cited from Schöne A. (1982), Aufklärung aus dem Geist der Experimentalphysik. Lichtenbergsche Konjunktive, München: Beck, 1982, p.52
  11. ^ Hochadel, O. (1998), "Martinus Electrophorus Berschütz. G.Ch.L. und die wissenschaftlichen Schausteller seiner Zeit", Lichtenberg-Jahrbuch, 1998, p 18.
  12. ^ Ferguson, James (1778). An introduction to electricity. In six sections ... Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine. London : Printed for W. Strahan, and T. Cadell, in the Strand.
  13. ^ James Ferguson A biographical dictionary of eminent Scotsmen, 3, edited byRobert Chambers and Thomas Napier Thomson, 1857, Blackie and Son, Glasgow

External links edit

  • Philosophy of Science Portal
  • George Glazer Gallery
  • Texts by James Ferguson on the Internet Archive (see all):
    • Astronomy explained upon Sir Isaac Newton's Principles ... (2nd American edition, 1809)
    • Select mechanical exercises: shewing how to construct different clocks, orreries, and sun-dials ...: to which is prefixed, a short account of the life of the author (1773)
    • An easy introduction to astronomy for young gentlemen and ladies ... (2nd American edition, 1812)
    • An introduction to electricity. In six sections ... (3rd ed., 1778)
    • Lectures on select subjects in mechanics, hydrostatics, pneumatics, optics, and astronomy (1839 ed.)
    • Tables and tracts, relative to several arts and sciences (2nd ed., 1771)

January 01, 1970
james, ferguson, scottish, astronomer, american, astronomer, born, scotland, james, ferguson, american, astronomer, james, ferguson, april, 1710, november, 1776, scottish, astronomer, known, inventor, improver, astronomical, other, scientific, apparatus, strik. For the American astronomer born in Scotland see James Ferguson American astronomer James Ferguson 25 April 1710 17 November 1776 was a Scottish astronomer 1 He is known as the inventor and improver of astronomical and other scientific apparatus as a striking instance of self education and as an itinerant lecturer James Ferguson 1710 1776 Contents 1 Biography 2 Legacy 3 Works 4 Further reading 5 References 6 External linksBiography editFerguson was born near Rothiemay in Banffshire of humble parents According to his autobiography he learned to read by hearing his father teach his elder brother and with the help of an old woman was able to read quite well before his father thought of teaching him 2 After his father taught him to write he was sent at the age of seven for three months to the grammar school at Keith and that was all the formal education he ever received 3 His taste for mechanics was about this time accidentally awakened on seeing his father making use of a lever to raise a part of the roof of his house an exhibition of strength which excited his wonder In 1720 he was sent to a neighboring farm to keep sheep where he amused himself by making models of machines and at night he studied the stars Afterwards as a servant with a miller and then with a doctor he met with hardships which rendered his constitution feeble through life Being compelled by his health to return home he then amused himself with making a clock having wooden wheels and a whalebone spring When slightly recovered he showed this and some other inventions to a gentleman who employed him to clean his clocks and to make his house his home He there began to draw patterns for needlework and his success in this art led him to think of becoming a painter 2 nbsp A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery by Joseph Wright of Derby Use a cursor to see who is who 4 In 1734 he went to Edinburgh where he began to make portraits in miniature by which means while engaged in his scientific studies he supported himself and his family for many years Subsequently he settled at Inverness where he drew up his Astronomical Rotula for showing the motions of the planets places of the sun and moon amp c and in 1743 went to London England which was his home for the rest of his life He wrote various papers for the Royal Society of London of which he became a Fellow in November 1763 5 He devised astronomical and mechanical models like globes 2 Ferguson s globes were inspired by the early 18th Century globes of John Senex Senex sold him the copper plates for his globe gores but not the copper plates used for Senex s pocket globe gores Consequently Ferguson designed his own pocket globe producing several editions Ferguson had some Senex gores re engraved by a certain James Mynde showing Admiral Anson s voyages of the years 1740 1744 6 better source needed In 1748 Ferguson began to give public lectures on experimental philosophy which he repeated in most of the principal towns in England During his time traveling in England the well known London bookseller Andrew Millar arranged lectures for him in the spa towns of Royal Tunbridge Wells and Bath 7 Ferguson s deep interest in his subject his clear explanations his ingeniously constructed diagrams and his mechanical apparatus rendered him one of the most successful of popular lecturers on scientific subjects 2 As the inventor and improver of astronomical and other scientific apparatus and as a striking instance of self education he claims a place among the most remarkable Scottish scientists 2 During the latter years of his life he received a pension of 50 from the privy purse 2 He died in London on 17 November 1776 and was buried in St Marylebone churchyard citation needed Legacy editAlthough not as well known nowadays Ferguson was widely influential in his own time Thomas Paine mentioned him in his publication The Age of Reason and William Herschel studied astronomy from his books 8 His international reputation was such that he was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1770 9 The German experimental physicist Georg Christoph Lichtenberg admired Ferguson Everything was done by experiments he had not even chalk and sponge 10 11 Works edit nbsp Title page of a 1757 copy of Ferguson s Astronomy Explained upon Sir Isaac Newton s Principles and Made Easy for Those Who Have Not Studied Mathematics nbsp Astronomy explained upon Sir Isaac Newton s Principles 1764 Ferguson s principal publications are Astronomical Tables 1763 Lectures on Select Subjects first edition 1760 edited by Sir David Brewster in 1805 Astronomy explained upon Sir Isaac Newton s Principles 1756 edited by Sir David Brewster in 1811 Astronomy explained upon Sir Isaac Newton s Principles London Andrew Millar 1764 Select Mechanical Exercises with a Short Account of the Life of the Author written by himself 1773 Introduction to Electricity First Edition 1770 Second Edition 1775 1778 12 His autobiography is included in the 1857 biographical dictionary of eminent Scotsmen 13 and in Life by E Henderson LL D first edition 1867 2nd 1870 which also contains a full description of Ferguson s principal inventions accompanied with illustrations nbsp 1757 copy of Ferguson s Astronomy Explained upon Sir Isaac Newton s Principles and Made Easy for Those Who Have Not Studied Mathematics nbsp Table of contents for Astronomy Explained upon Sir Isaac Newton s Principles and Made Easy for Those Who Have Not Studied Mathematics nbsp Table from Astronomy Explained upon Sir Isaac Newton s Principles and Made Easy for Those Who Have Not Studied Mathematics nbsp Table from Astronomy Explained upon Sir Isaac Newton s Principles and Made Easy for Those Who Have Not Studied Mathematics Further reading edit nbsp Wikisource has original works by or about James Ferguson Laudan Laurens 1970 1980 Ferguson James Dictionary of Scientific Biography Vol 4 New York Charles Scribner s Sons pp 565 6 ISBN 978 0 684 10114 9 The Story of the Peasant Boy Philosopher by Henry Mayhew 1857 Wheelwright of the Heavens by John R Millburn In collaboration with Henry C King 1988 A revised biography based on Hendersons Life but with much additional research References edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to James Ferguson 1710 1776 Ferguson James 1710 1776 Dictionary of National Biography London Smith Elder amp Co 1885 1900 a b c d e f Chisholm 1911 Hockey Thomas 2009 The Biographical Encyclopedia of Astronomers Springer Publishing ISBN 978 0 387 31022 0 Retrieved 22 August 2012 A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery 1764 1766 Revolutionary Players image from Derby Museum and Art Gallery Derby accessed March 2011 List of Fellows of the Royal Society 1660 2007 PDF London The Royal Society Retrieved 30 July 2011 George Glazer James Ferguson www georgeglazer com n d retrieved January 2017 The manuscripts Letter from Andrew Millar to Andrew Mitchell 26 August 1766 See footnote no 36 www millar project ed ac uk Retrieved 1 June 2016 James Ferguson 1710 1776 Famous sons of Rothiemay district of Rothiemay n d retrieved January 10 2017 APS Member History search amphilsoc org Unpublished manuscript of a university lecture Cited from Schone A 1982 Aufklarung aus dem Geist der Experimentalphysik Lichtenbergsche Konjunktive Munchen Beck 1982 p 52 Hochadel O 1998 Martinus Electrophorus Berschutz G Ch L und die wissenschaftlichen Schausteller seiner Zeit Lichtenberg Jahrbuch 1998 p 18 Ferguson James 1778 An introduction to electricity In six sections Francis A Countway Library of Medicine London Printed for W Strahan and T Cadell in the Strand James Ferguson A biographical dictionary of eminent Scotsmen 3 edited byRobert Chambers and Thomas Napier Thomson 1857 Blackie and Son Glasgow nbsp This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain Chisholm Hugh ed 1911 Ferguson James Encyclopaedia Britannica Vol 10 11th ed Cambridge University Press p 272 External links editPhilosophy of Science Portal George Glazer Gallery Texts by James Ferguson on the Internet Archive see all Astronomy explained upon Sir Isaac Newton s Principles 2nd American edition 1809 Select mechanical exercises shewing how to construct different clocks orreries and sun dials to which is prefixed a short account of the life of the author 1773 An easy introduction to astronomy for young gentlemen and ladies 2nd American edition 1812 An introduction to electricity In six sections 3rd ed 1778 Lectures on select subjects in mechanics hydrostatics pneumatics optics and astronomy 1839 ed Tables and tracts relative to several arts and sciences 2nd ed 1771 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title James Ferguson Scottish astronomer amp oldid 1216514013, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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