Jesse Ramsden | |
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Born | Salterhebble, Yorkshire, UK | 6 October 1735
Died | 5 November 1800 Brighton, Sussex | (aged 65)
Nationality | British |
Known for | Dividing engine Ramsden eyepiece Surveying instruments Optical telescopes |
Awards | Copley Medal (1795) |
Scientific career | |
Fields | astronomical optics |
Jesse Ramsden FRS FRSE (6 October 1735 – 5 November 1800) was a British mathematician, astronomical and scientific instrument maker. His reputation was built on the engraving and design of dividing engines which allowed high accuracy measurements of angles and lengths in instruments. He produced instruments for astronomy that were especially well known for maritime use where they were needed for the measurement of latitudes and for his surveying instruments which were widely used for cartography and land survey both across the British Empire and outside. An achromatic eyepiece that he invented for telescopes and microscopes continues to be known as the Ramsden eyepiece.