Mathematician and astronomer; born in
Salem, Mass., March 26, 1773; learned the business of a ship-chandler, and then spent nine years on the sea, attaining the rank of master.
With great native talent and equal industry, he became one of the greatest men of science of his time.
While he was yet on the sea he published (1800) his
Practical navigator.
He made the first
entire translation into English of La Place's
Mecanique Celeste, and published it, in 4 volumes, in 1829, with most valuable commentaries, in which were recorded the more recent discoveries in astronomy.
It was estimated that there were at that time only two or three persons in
America, and not more than twelve in
Great Britain, who were able to read the original work critically.
La Place added much to his work many years after it was published.
Bowditch translated this supplement; and it has been published, as a fifth volume, under the editorial care of
Prof. Benjamin Peirce, with an elaborate commentary.
Bowditch had acquired a knowledge of various languages, and drew his great store of knowledge from many sources.
He became a member of the principal scientific societies in
Europe.
He died in
Boston, Mass., March 16, 1838.
