James Robert Napier (engineer)
Encyclopedia
James Robert Napier, FRS (12 September, 1821 - 13 December, 1879), engineer
and inventor of Napier's diagram, a tool for nautical navigation.
in 1821, the son of father Robert Napier
, himself a noted shipbuilder. He was educated at the High School of Glasgow
, where he was found to excel at mathematics, and also graduated from the University of Glasgow
.
In 1848 he married Emma Mary Twentyman, and together they had seven children.
Napier carried out a series of experiments, measuring errors in compass navigation, and published his findings in 1851. This was called Napier's Diagram, and it was a graphic method of correcting deviation of a ship's compass, which is still referenced in navigation books.
Napier worked with the engineer and physicist William Rankine
to attempt to improve naval engineering, including patenting an air engine (founded on the thermodynamic principle that temperature difference governs engine efficiency) with him in 1853, but the engine never saw widespread use. In 1853, he was also made a full partner in his father's business, which became R. Napier & Sons.
Exhausted from the frantic schedule required to build in 1856 for the British government during the Crimean War
, in 1857, Napier left the shipbuilding business he had been running for the previous 15 years, and started on other, less successful ventures.
and Belfast
. While this business was a moderate success, it led to legal troubles with the Glasgow and South-Western Railway Company. Although Napier won this legal battle, he subsequently sold the "Lancefield", ending his interest in shipping. After this he worked occasionally on commission as an engineering consultant. In this endeavor he helped to design a ship to navigate the Godaveri river in Kaleshwaram
, India.
, the Royal Institution of Naval Architects
, and the British Association for the Advancement of Science
, and was president of The Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland
from 1863-65. http://www.iesis.org/about/presidents.aspx He was inducted into the Royal Society
of London for the Improvement of Natural Knowledge in 1867. http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/page.asp?id=1727
in December 1879, after contracting an illness while boating on Loch Lomond
.
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
and inventor of Napier's diagram, a tool for nautical navigation.
Early life and education
James Robert Napier was born in Camlachie, GlasgowGlasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
in 1821, the son of father Robert Napier
Robert Napier (engineer)
Robert Napier was a Scottish engineer, and is often called "The Father of Clyde Shipbuilding."-Early life:Robert Napier was born in Dumbarton at the height of the Industrial Revolution, to James and Jean Napier...
, himself a noted shipbuilder. He was educated at the High School of Glasgow
High School of Glasgow
The High School of Glasgow is an independent, co-educational day school in Glasgow, Scotland. Founded as the Choir School of Glasgow Cathedral in around 1124, it is the oldest school in Scotland, and the twelfth oldest in the United Kingdom. It remained part of the Church as the city's grammar...
, where he was found to excel at mathematics, and also graduated from the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
.
Shipbuilder
He was placed in charge of his father's shipbuilding business in 1842.In 1848 he married Emma Mary Twentyman, and together they had seven children.
Napier carried out a series of experiments, measuring errors in compass navigation, and published his findings in 1851. This was called Napier's Diagram, and it was a graphic method of correcting deviation of a ship's compass, which is still referenced in navigation books.
Napier worked with the engineer and physicist William Rankine
William John Macquorn Rankine
William John Macquorn Rankine was a Scottish civil engineer, physicist and mathematician. He was a founding contributor, with Rudolf Clausius and William Thomson , to the science of thermodynamics....
to attempt to improve naval engineering, including patenting an air engine (founded on the thermodynamic principle that temperature difference governs engine efficiency) with him in 1853, but the engine never saw widespread use. In 1853, he was also made a full partner in his father's business, which became R. Napier & Sons.
Exhausted from the frantic schedule required to build in 1856 for the British government during the Crimean War
Crimean War
The Crimean War was a conflict fought between the Russian Empire and an alliance of the French Empire, the British Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Kingdom of Sardinia. The war was part of a long-running contest between the major European powers for influence over territories of the declining...
, in 1857, Napier left the shipbuilding business he had been running for the previous 15 years, and started on other, less successful ventures.
Later career
He started his own shipyard shortly thereafter, but closed the business shortly after, citing his failing health, and took up interest in the West of Scotland Fishery Company, but this venture, too, proved unsuccessful. Then he attempted to run one of his iron ships, the "Lancefield", to ferry cargo and passengers between ArdrossanArdrossan
Ardrossan is a town on the North Ayrshire coast in south-western Scotland. The name "Ardrossan" describes its physical position — 'ard' from the Gaelic àird meaning headland, 'ros' a promontory and the diminutive suffix '-an' - headland of the little promontory...
and Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
. While this business was a moderate success, it led to legal troubles with the Glasgow and South-Western Railway Company. Although Napier won this legal battle, he subsequently sold the "Lancefield", ending his interest in shipping. After this he worked occasionally on commission as an engineering consultant. In this endeavor he helped to design a ship to navigate the Godaveri river in Kaleshwaram
Kaleshwaram
Kaleshwaram is the site of the famous Shiva temple called "Kaleswara muktheswara swamy", in the border of the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra...
, India.
Professional memberships
He was a member of The Royal Philosophical Society of GlasgowThe Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow
The Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow is a learned society established in 1802 "for the improvement of the Arts and Sciences" in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. It runs a programme of lectures, now in its 210th Series...
, the Royal Institution of Naval Architects
Royal Institution of Naval Architects
The Royal Institution of Naval Architects is an international organisation representing naval architects. It is an international professional institution whose members are involved world-wide at all levels in the design, construction, repair and operation of ships, boats and marine...
, and the British Association for the Advancement of Science
British Association for the Advancement of Science
frame|right|"The BA" logoThe British Association for the Advancement of Science or the British Science Association, formerly known as the BA, is a learned society with the object of promoting science, directing general attention to scientific matters, and facilitating interaction between...
, and was president of The Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland
Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland
The Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland is a professional body for engineers and shipbuilders in Scotland.-Founding:The inaugural meeting of the Institution of Engineers in Scotland was held on 1 May 1857...
from 1863-65. http://www.iesis.org/about/presidents.aspx He was inducted into the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
of London for the Improvement of Natural Knowledge in 1867. http://www.royalsoc.ac.uk/page.asp?id=1727
Death
He died in GlasgowGlasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
in December 1879, after contracting an illness while boating on Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is a freshwater Scottish loch, lying on the Highland Boundary Fault. It is the largest lake in Great Britain by surface area. The lake contains many islands, including Inchmurrin, the largest fresh-water island in the British Isles, although the lake itself is smaller than many Irish...
.