John Napier

John Napier was born to Sir Archibald Napier of Merchiston and Janet Bothwell at Merchiston Tower, a castle in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was the eighth Laird of Merchiston.

At the age of 13, John Napier enrolled at St. Salvator's College, University of St Andrews, where he began his formal education in mathematics and other subjects.

After traveling in Europe, John Napier returned to Scotland and married Elizabeth Stirling, daughter of Sir Archibald Stirling of Keir and Cadder. They had two children.

Upon the death of his father, Sir Archibald Napier, John inherited Merchiston Castle and the title of Laird of Merchiston, becoming a prominent figure in Scottish society.

Napier published his first book, 'A Plaine Discovery of the Whole Revelation of St. John,' which was a religious and apocalyptic work, reflecting his deep interest in theology.

Napier published his groundbreaking work 'Mirifici Logarithmorum Canonis Descriptio,' introducing logarithms, a revolutionary mathematical concept that simplified complex calculations.

Napier met with Henry Briggs, a prominent English mathematician, to discuss and refine the concept of logarithms, leading to the development of common logarithms.

Napier published 'Rabdologiae, seu Numerationis per Virgulas libri duo,' which introduced Napier's bones, a calculating device that facilitated multiplication and division.

John Napier died at Merchiston Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland. His contributions to mathematics, particularly the invention of logarithms, had a profound impact on scientific and mathematical advancements.