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         Nathaniel Bowditch    1773-1838

         See photo 23:

         A son of a shipmaster, Nathaniel Bowditch taught himself calculus at the age of 16. By the time he was 30 he was himself a shipmaster.

         At 17 he had read Newton's Philosopiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica. He wrote to a professor at Harvard University pointing

         out an error in Newton's masterpiece. Bowditch is best known for his New American Practical Navigator, the latest edition of which is

         still found on the bridge of every American naval ship.    Click on Nathaniel Bowditch for more information.