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Jesse Ramsden
Inventor

Jesse Ramsden

Famoose for

Making precision instruments for astronomy, navigation and surveying.

Dividing engine · Ramsden eyepiece

Born
6 October 1735
Birthplace
Salterhebble
Died
5 November 1800

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Jesse Ramsden

Jesse Ramsden was a British instrument maker whose dividing engines improved the accuracy of engraved measuring scales. His workshop supplied astronomers, navigators and surveyors.

Early life

Yorkshire training

Studied mathematics before an apprenticeship in the cloth trade.

Career

  1. 1758

    Instrument apprenticeship

    Began training with a mathematical instrument maker in London.

  2. 1762

    Independent workshop

    Established his own instrument-making business.

Contributions

Dividing engine

The Board of Longitude rewarded his precision dividing technology.

Ramsden eyepiece

Developed an eyepiece associated with his name.

Beyond research

Family

Married Sarah Dollond, daughter of optical instrument maker John Dollond.

Sources & photo creditBiography and career ↗Biographical references ↗Additional biographical source ↗

Original photograph. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.

Photo: Artistic portrait; Creator not stated; see image source. CC BY 4.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.