Theodolite

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A theodolite is a surveying instrument for measuring horizontal and vertical angles. This brass example (pictured here with its fitted case) was made around 1810, probably by Matthew Berge, a scientific instrument maker based in London.

The design of this theodolite has been ascribed to Jesse Ramsden, the foremost London instrument maker of his generation, and Berge's master. It has a double 'A' frame on the azimuth (horizontal) circle which contains the compass, supporting the horizontal axis of a racked semi-circle. The semi-circle carries a telescopic sight, reversible in two 'Y' supports.

This design was illustrated in 1791, where it was attributed to Ramsden. The octagonal wooden case - although it may not be original to this particular instrument - is a rare contemporary survival. The tripod has not survived.

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• Online ID: 000-100-104-268-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1979.107
• Date: Around 1810
  c. 1810
  
• Material: Theodolite / case
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Theodolite / case
  
• Subject: 5. CARTOGRAPHY, Surveying (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: Matthew Berge, London (Maker)
  
• Where: England, London
  
• Event:
• Description: Five-inch theodolite, in a fitted case, by Matthew Berge of London, c. 1810
  
• References:
  • Adams, George, Geometrical and Graphical Essays. London: 1791 For Berge, see Clifton, Gloria, Directory of British Scientific Instrument Makers 1550-1851. London: 1995, p 28 
  • de Clercq, P. R. (ed.) Nineteenth-Century Scientific Instruments and Their Makers. Leiden & Amsterdam: 1985, p 102 
  • For the development of the theodolite, see Bennett, J.A., The Divided Circle: A history of instruments for astronomy, navigation and surveying. Oxford: 1987, pp 145-9 
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