probably made in London

Theodolite

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:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland T.1979.107
Date:	Around 1810 c. 1810
Material:
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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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