Abstract
James Ferguson, the self-taught astronomer, scientific instrument maker, author and lecturer was a remarkable 18th century figure. This paper traces his life from humble origins as a shepherd boy in Banffshire, Scotland. There he observed the stars and planets by night and conjectured on the mechanics of the heavens. He taught himself to make and repair clocks and his outstanding talent as a portraitist enabled him to earn a living while he invented scientific instruments. He eventually came to London where he continued to design instruments and globes and commenced his career as lecturer and author. His later years as an esteemed recipient of a royal pension from King George III brought him Fellowship of the Royal Society with extraordinary provisions, and contact with Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Johnson and many other leading figures of his day.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
