Samuel Dunn (mathematician)
Encyclopedia
Samuel Dunn was a British mathematician
, and amateur astronomer.
, Devonshire.
His father died at Crediton in 1744. He wrote in his will:
The "schoolhouse" was the place where the "English school" was kept previously to its union with the blue school in 1821.
In London, Dunn taught in different schools, and gave private lessons.
In 1757, he came before the public as the inventor of the "universal planisphere
s, or terrestrial and celestial globes in plano", four large stereographical maps, with a transparent index placed over each map,
He published an account of their Description and Use, 2nd edition, octavo, London, 1759.
From the preface, it appears that in 1758 Dunn had become master of an academy "for boarding and qualifying young gentlemen in arts, sciences, and languages, and for business", at Chelsea.
It was at Ormond House (Faulkner, '"Chelsea"', ed. 1829, ii. 211), where there was a good observatory.
On 1 January 1760, he made the observation of a remarkable comet (Ann. Reg. iii. 65); other discoveries he communicated to the Royal Society
.
Towards the close of 1763, he gave up the school at Chelsea, and fixing himself at Brompton Park, near Kensington
, resumed once more his private teaching. In 1764 he made a short tour through France (Addit. MS. 28536, f. 241).
In 1774, when residing at 6 Clement's Inn, near Temple Bar
, he published his excellent New Atlas of the Mundane System, or of Geography and Cosmography, describing the Heavens and the Earth. … The whole elegantly engraved on sixty-two copper plates. With a general introduction, folio, London. About this time his reputation led to his being appointed mathematical examiner of the candidates for the East India Company
's service. Under the company's auspices he was enabled to publish in a handsome form several of his more important works.
Such were:
He also "methodised, corrected, and further enlarged" a goodly quarto, entitled A New Directory for the East Indies … being a work originally begun upon the plan of the Oriental Neptune, augmented and improved by Mr. Willm. Herbert, Mr. Willm. Nichelson, and others, London, 1780, which reached a fifth edition the same year.
Dunn was living at 8 Maiden Lane
, Covent Garden
, in July 1777, but by September 1780 had taken up his abode at 1 Boar's Head Court, Fleet Street
, where he continued for the remainder of his life.
, officer of excise of London (registered in P.C.C., 16, Holman). Therein he describes himself as "teacher of the mathematics and master for the longitude at sea", and desires to be buried "in the parish church belonging to the place where I shall happen to inhabit a little time before my decease".
He names seven relations to whom he left £20 each; but to his wife, Elizabeth Dunn, "who hath withdrawn herself from me near thirty years, the sum only of ten pounds". No children are mentioned.
He also requested the corporation of Crediton to provide always and have a master of the school at the foot of Bowden Hill
residing therein, of the church of England, but not in holy orders, an able teacher of writing, navigation, the lunar method of taking the longitude at sea, planning, drawing, and surveying, with all mathematical science.
For this purpose he left £30 a year.
Six boys were to be taught, with a preference to his own descendants. The stock thus bequeathed produced in 1823 dividends amounting to £25 4/- per annum, the school being known by the name of Dunn's School (Tenth Report of Charities Commissioners, 28 June 1823, pages 78–9; Lysons, Magna Britannia, volume vi. (Devonshire) part ii. page 150).
Dunn contributed nine papers to the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society
, of which body, however, he was not a fellow.
On the title-page of his "Atlas" he appears as a member of the Philosophical Society at Philadelphia, America. A few of his letters to Thomas Birch
are preserved in Addit. manuscript 4305, following 85–90; one to Emanuel Mendes da Costa is in Addit. manuscript 28536, f. 241.
Mathematician
A mathematician is a person whose primary area of study is the field of mathematics. Mathematicians are concerned with quantity, structure, space, and change....
, and amateur astronomer.
Life
He was a native of CreditonCrediton
Crediton is a town and civil parish in the Mid Devon district of Devon in England. It stands on the A377 Exeter to Barnstaple road at the junction with the A3072 road to Tiverton, about north west of Exeter. It has a population of 6,837...
, Devonshire.
His father died at Crediton in 1744. He wrote in his will:
The "schoolhouse" was the place where the "English school" was kept previously to its union with the blue school in 1821.
In London, Dunn taught in different schools, and gave private lessons.
In 1757, he came before the public as the inventor of the "universal planisphere
Planisphere
A planisphere is a star chart analog computing instrument in the form of two adjustable disks that rotate on a common pivot. It can be adjusted to display the visible stars for any time and date. It is an instrument to assist in learning how to recognize stars and constellations...
s, or terrestrial and celestial globes in plano", four large stereographical maps, with a transparent index placed over each map,
He published an account of their Description and Use, 2nd edition, octavo, London, 1759.
From the preface, it appears that in 1758 Dunn had become master of an academy "for boarding and qualifying young gentlemen in arts, sciences, and languages, and for business", at Chelsea.
It was at Ormond House (Faulkner, '"Chelsea"', ed. 1829, ii. 211), where there was a good observatory.
On 1 January 1760, he made the observation of a remarkable comet (Ann. Reg. iii. 65); other discoveries he communicated to 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"...
.
Towards the close of 1763, he gave up the school at Chelsea, and fixing himself at Brompton Park, near Kensington
Kensington
Kensington is a district of west and central London, England within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. An affluent and densely-populated area, its commercial heart is Kensington High Street, and it contains the well-known museum district of South Kensington.To the north, Kensington is...
, resumed once more his private teaching. In 1764 he made a short tour through France (Addit. MS. 28536, f. 241).
In 1774, when residing at 6 Clement's Inn, near Temple Bar
Temple Bar
Temple Bar may refer to:* The Temple Bar, a spot in London* Temple Bar, Dublin, a cultural quarter in Dublin city* Temple Bar, Ceredigion, a village in Wales* Temple Bar Magazine, British literary magazine published 1860 to 1906...
, he published his excellent New Atlas of the Mundane System, or of Geography and Cosmography, describing the Heavens and the Earth. … The whole elegantly engraved on sixty-two copper plates. With a general introduction, folio, London. About this time his reputation led to his being appointed mathematical examiner of the candidates for the East India Company
East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
's service. Under the company's auspices he was enabled to publish in a handsome form several of his more important works.
Such were:
- A New and General Introduction to Practical Astronomy, with its application to Geography … Topography, octavo, London, 1774.
- The Navigators Guide to the Oriental or Indian Seas, or the Description and Use of a Variation Chart of the Magnetic Needle, designed for shewing the Longitude throughout the principal parts of the Atlantic, Ethiopic, and Southern Oceans, octavo, London (1775).
- A New Epitome of Practical Navigation, or Guide to the Indian Seas, containing (1) the Elements of Mathematical Learning, used … in the Theory and Practice of Nautical affairs; (2) the Theory of Navigation. ..; (3) the Method of Correcting and Determining the Longitude at Sea …; (4) the Practice of Navigation in all kinds of Sailing (with copper plates), octavo, London, 1777, and
- The Theory and Practice of the Longitude at Sea … with copper plates, octavo, London, 1778; second edition, enlarged, quarto, London, 1786.
He also "methodised, corrected, and further enlarged" a goodly quarto, entitled A New Directory for the East Indies … being a work originally begun upon the plan of the Oriental Neptune, augmented and improved by Mr. Willm. Herbert, Mr. Willm. Nichelson, and others, London, 1780, which reached a fifth edition the same year.
Dunn was living at 8 Maiden Lane
Maiden Lane
Maiden Lane may refer to:* Maiden Lane , a street in Covent Garden, London* Maiden Lane , a street in Manhattan* Maiden Lane , a street in San Francisco...
, Covent Garden
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as...
, in July 1777, but by September 1780 had taken up his abode at 1 Boar's Head Court, Fleet Street
Fleet Street
Fleet Street is a street in central London, United Kingdom, named after the River Fleet, a stream that now flows underground. It was the home of the British press until the 1980s...
, where he continued for the remainder of his life.
Legacy
He died in January 1794. His will, dated 5 January 1794, was proved at London, on the 20 January by his kinsman, William DunnWilliam Dunn
William Dunn may refer to:* William Dunn , mechanic and agriculturist,*William Dunn , American Civil War sailor who received the Medal of Honor...
, officer of excise of London (registered in P.C.C., 16, Holman). Therein he describes himself as "teacher of the mathematics and master for the longitude at sea", and desires to be buried "in the parish church belonging to the place where I shall happen to inhabit a little time before my decease".
He names seven relations to whom he left £20 each; but to his wife, Elizabeth Dunn, "who hath withdrawn herself from me near thirty years, the sum only of ten pounds". No children are mentioned.
He also requested the corporation of Crediton to provide always and have a master of the school at the foot of Bowden Hill
Bowden Hill
Bowden Hill is a village in Wiltshire, England, 3.5 miles south of Chippenham and 1 mile to the east of Lacock. The village consists of about 50 houses, a pub, and a small industrial estate.-Origins of the name:...
residing therein, of the church of England, but not in holy orders, an able teacher of writing, navigation, the lunar method of taking the longitude at sea, planning, drawing, and surveying, with all mathematical science.
For this purpose he left £30 a year.
Six boys were to be taught, with a preference to his own descendants. The stock thus bequeathed produced in 1823 dividends amounting to £25 4/- per annum, the school being known by the name of Dunn's School (Tenth Report of Charities Commissioners, 28 June 1823, pages 78–9; Lysons, Magna Britannia, volume vi. (Devonshire) part ii. page 150).
Dunn contributed nine papers to the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society
Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society
The Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society is a scientific journal published by the Royal Society of London. It was established in 1665, making it the first journal in the world exclusively devoted to science, and it has remained in continuous publication ever since, making it the world's...
, of which body, however, he was not a fellow.
On the title-page of his "Atlas" he appears as a member of the Philosophical Society at Philadelphia, America. A few of his letters to Thomas Birch
Thomas Birch
Thomas Birch was an English historian.-Life:He was the son of Joseph Birch, a coffee-mill maker, and was born at Clerkenwell....
are preserved in Addit. manuscript 4305, following 85–90; one to Emanuel Mendes da Costa is in Addit. manuscript 28536, f. 241.
Other publications
Besides the works mentioned above he published:- A Popular Lecture on the Astronomy and Philosophy of Comets, octavo, London, 1759.
- Improvements in the Doctrines of the Sphere, Astronomy, Geography, Navigation, &c., … necessary … in finding out the true Longitude at Sea and Land, quarto, London, 1765.
- A Determination of the exact Moments of Time when the Planet Venus was at external and internal contact with the Sun's Limb, in the TransitsTransit of VenusA transit of Venus across the Sun takes place when the planet Venus passes directly between the Sun and Earth, becoming visible against the solar disk. During a transit, Venus can be seen from Earth as a small black disk moving across the face of the Sun...
of 6 June 1761 and 3 June 1769', quarto, London, 1770. - A New and Easy Method of finding the Latitude on Sea or Land, octavo, London, 1778.
- Nautical Propositions and Institutes, or Directions for the Practice of Navigation, octavo, London, 1781.
- An Introduction to Latitude, with Astronomical Delineations and Nautical Formulas, engraved on copper plates, octavo, London, 1782.
- The Linear Tables described, and their utility verified, octavo, London, 1783.
- Lunar Tables, Nos. 1–5, folio, London, 1783.
- A new Formula for Latitude, s. sh. quarto (London), 1784. Engraved.
- "Formulas for all parts of Navigation, having the Tables of Logarithms", s. sh. quarto, London, 1784. Engraved.
- General Magnetic and True Journal at Sea, s. sh. quarto (London), 1784. Engraved.
- "Magnetic and true Journal at Sea", s. sh. quarto (London), 1784. Engraved. (Another edition, s. sh. quarto (London), 22 September 1784. Engraved.).
- 'Rules for a Ship's Journal at Sea', s. sh. folio, London, 1784. Engraved.
- 'Ship's Journal at Sea', s. sh. quarto (London), 1784. Engraved.
- A Table for Transverses and Currents, s. sh. quarto, London, 1784.
- "Tables of correct and concise Logarithms … with a compendious Introduction to Logarithmetic", octavo, London, 1784.
- Nautic Tables, octavo, London, 1785.
- Tables of Time and Degrees, and hourly change of the Suns right Ascension', s. sh. quarto (London), 1786.
- A Description of peculiar Charts and Tables for facilitating a Discovery of both the Latitude and Longitude in a Ship at Sea, folio, London, 1787.
- "Linear Tables, one, two, three, four, and five, abridged, &c. (Linear Tables viii. ix. of Proper Logarithms. Linear Tables x. xi.) 3 plates", folio (London), 1788.
- Linear Table xvi. for showing the Suns Declination. (Errata in the reductions.)' folio, London, 1788.
- The Lunar Method shortend in calculation & improv'd. (Short Rules for practical navigation.)' octavo (London), 1788.
- A Navigation Table for shortening days works, s. sh. folio (London), 1788.
- The Longitude Journal; its description and application, folio, London, 1789.
- "The Sea-Journal improved, with its description", &c., folio, London, 1789.
- The Daily Uses of Nautical Sciences in a Ship at Sea, particularly in finding and keeping the Latitude and Longitude during a voyage, octavo. (London), 1790.
- An Introduction to the Lunar Method of finding the Longitude in a Ship at Sea, &c., octavo (London), 1790.
- The Astronomy of Fixed Stars, concisely deduced from original principles, and prepared for application to Geography and Navigation, Part I., quarto (London), 1792.
- Improvements in the Methods now in use for taking the Longitude of a Ship at Sea. Invented and described by S. Dunn, octavo (London), 1793.
- The Longitude Logarithms, in their regular and shortest order, made easy for use in taking the Latitude and Longitude at Sea and Land, octavo, London, 1793 (British Museum Cat.; Watt, '"Bibl. Brit"'. i. 324 f.).