Life of James Ferguson, F. R. S.

The life of the Scottish astronomer and inventor, James Ferguson (1710–1776), with detailed accounts of his work.

James Ferguson (1710–1776) was a Scottish self-taught astronomer, instrument-maker and artist. He was particularly famous for his clear explanation of scientific subjects. This autobiography, expanded by Ebenezer Henderson and published in 1867, contains details of many of his inventions and improvements of those of others.James Ferguson (1710–1776) was a Scottish self-taught astronomer, instrument maker and artist. Of humble background, he became a highly successful lecturer on experimental philosophy and science. He became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1763, received a royal pension, and is particularly remembered as an inventor and improver of astronomical and other scientific apparatus. These include a new type of orrery, clocks, and his astronomical rotula. His lectures and books were noted for their clear explanations for a general audience, and Astronomy Explained upon Sir Isaac Newton's Principles and Made Easy for Those Who Have Not Studied Mathematics (1756) was a bestseller. This autobiographical memoir, expanded by Ebenezer Henderson in 1867, also contains a full description of Ferguson's principal inventions, with many illustrations.