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'Rotula Arithmetica' (piece)

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Postcard of 'Rotula Arithmetica' (piece).
000-100-044-673-C
© National Museums Scotland

'Rotula Arithmetica' (piece)

This brass plate is from the 'Rotula Arithmetica', a device for simple addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, invented in 1699 by a dissenting minister, George Brown (1650-1730). The rest of the instrument does not survive.

The plate is inscribed 'for the right Honble Patrick Earle of Marchmont / Lord High Chancelour of/ Scotland / Feb 28. 1699'. It is doubtful that Brown himself made the rotula: he probably employed an engraver.

Sir Patrick Hume (1641-1724), the first Earl of Marchmont, was a powerful political figure: all of the surviving examples have different dedications, and Brown was clearly searching for an influential patron.


Record details

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Online ID: 000-100-044-673-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0098: National Museums Scotland
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1979.166
Date: 1699
Material:
Dimensions:
What: Rotula plate
Subject:
Who: Earl of Marchmont (Dedicated to the Earl)
G. Brown, Edinburgh (Maker)
Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
Event:
Description: Plate for G. Brown's rotula, dated 1699 and dedicated to the Earl of Marchmont
References:
  • Bryden, D. J., 'George Brown, Author of the Rotula' in Annals of Science 28 (1972), pp 1-29 
Translations:
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