Sundial gnomon (detail)

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The sundial gnomon is the part of the sundial which casts its shadow over the dial, with its edge set at the angle of the particular latitude for which it has been constructed. This example was designed around 1744 by William Fullarton of Fullarton House near Troon, in Ayrshire. It was probably made by Robert Craig a local clockmaker.

The entire brass gnomon is covered with various tables on both sides. This picture shows the lower part of the gnomon, with a table for 'THE LATITUDE OF PLACES AND DIFFERENCES OF THEIR MERIDIANS FROM LONDON IN DEGR: AND MINUTES', these places being both local (eg Bristol) and exotic (eg Surinam). The left corner is marked 'POLES ELEVATIO 55D 30M', for the setting 55 degrees 30 minutes north.

Educated at the universities of Edinburgh and Leiden, William Fullarton was a gentleman with various scientific interests, including astronomy.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-004-192-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1988.18
• Date: Around 1744
  c. 1744
  
• Material: Brass. Inscription: G; Fullerton Designant et Soli fulgenti Consecravit Anno 1744; R. Craig [?] S[?] Execu; Poles elevatio 55D 3CM / Equat.
  Sundial gnomon
  
• Dimensions: 490 mm x 315 mm x 30 mm
  
• What: Sundial gnomon
  
• Subject:
• Who: Fullerton (Inscribed on the sundial)
  R. Craig (Inscribed on the sundial)
  Robert Craig, Scotland (Maker)
  William Fullarton, Fullarton House, Fullarton, Ayrshire (Designer)
  
• Where: Scotland
  Scotland, Ayrshire, Fullarton
  
• Event:
• Description: Brass sundial gnomon designed by William Fullarton, Ayrshire, made by Robert Craig, Scotland, c. 1744
  
• References:
  • For William Fullarton, see Emerson, Roger L., 'The Philosophical Society of Edinburgh 1737-1747', British Journal for the History of Science, 12 (1979), pp 154-191. 
  • Ian M. Mackintosh, Old Troon and District: an Historical Account 2nd edition (Edinburgh, 1972), p 21 
  • Stevenson, W.B., 'Sundials of Six Scottish Counties, near Glasgow', Transactions of the Glasgow Archaeological Society, new series 11 (1937-40), pp 233-5 
• Translations:
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