Title: Jesse Ramsden (1735-1800) : London's leading scientific instrument maker /
Authors: McConnell, Anita
Publisher: Ashgate,
Year: 2007
Subjects: Ramsden, J.; Instrument manufacture Great Britain Biography.; Optical engineering Great Britain Biography.; Machinists Great Britain Biography.; Scientific apparatus and instruments England London History
Abstract: "Jesse Ramsden was one of the most prominent manufacturers of scientific instruments in the latter half of the eighteenth century ... In this, the first biography of Jesse Ramsden, Dr. Anita McConnell reconstructs his life and career and presents us with a detailed account of the instrument trade in this period."--Jacket.
Contents: Early life -- Entering trade -- Dividing engines -- 'At the sign of the Golden Spectacles': The Piccadilly workshop -- Observatory instruments and expeditions, before 1786 -- Observatory instruments and expeditions, after 1786 -- A miscellany of instruments -- Surveying and the great geodetic theodolites -- Roy and Ramsden: dispute over his standard of work -- Final years -- Ramsden's Will and probate -- Sarah and John Ramsden -- The craft inheritors at Piccadilly -- Tales of a great man.