Norman,Robert

1. Dates

Born: fl

Died:

Dateinfo: Dates Certain

Lifespan:

2. Father

Occupation: Unknown

No information on financial status.

3. Nationality

Birth: apparently English

Career: what we know of was in England

Death: apparently English

4. Education

Schooling: No University

No record.

5. Religion

Affiliation: Anglican

By assumption.

6. Scientific Disciplines

Primary: Navigation, Magnetism

Norman is best known for his book, The Newe Attractive, 1581, a treatise on the loadstone which derives from his observations of the dipping phenomenon in the compasses he made.

The Safegarde of Saylers, 1590, was a book of sailing directions translated from the Dutch.

7. Means of Support

Primary: Sailing, Int A Sailor.

Secondary: Norman Was Known As The Maker Of Superior Navigational instruments, which he sold at Radcliffe.

8. Patronage

Type: Government Official

Dedicated his book to William Borough, Comptroller of the navy, for his encouragement and friendly affection.

9. Technological Involvement

Types: Instruments, Navigation

Navigational instruments, including magnetic compasses with a wax counterbalance to counteract the dip.

See also his book on navigation above.

10. Scientific Societies

Memberships: None

Sources

1. Dictionary of National Biography (repr., London: Oxford University Press, 1949-1950), 14, 559. There is not much information about Norman.

Compiled by:

Richard S. Westfall

Department of History and Philosophy of Science

Indiana University

Note: the creators of the Galileo Project and this catalogue cannot answer email on geneological questions.