Nathaniel Bowditch (1773-1838)
"Father of Modern Navigation," of Salem & Boston, Massachusetts
He was born to a sea captain in Salem, Massachusetts, and was awarded with doctorates from Harvard in mathematics, science and astronomy. In 1795, he shipped out on the first of five voyages from the U.S. to the East Indies, poring over the navigational tables in which he found and corrected over 8,000 errors. In 1802, he published the corrected tables is his seminal book The New American Practical Navigator which became essential to every mariner. In 1805, he helped organize the East India Marine Society which collected and disseminated navigation information among its sea captain members. He was married twice and had seven children.
Parents (2)
Spouses (2)
Children (7)
Nathaniel Ingersoll Bowditch
of Otis Place off Summer Street, Boston; Lawyer & Counsel to the Life Office
1805-1861
Jonathan Ingersoll Bowditch
East India Merchant & President of the American Insurance Co. in Boston
1806-1889
Dr. Henry Ingersoll Bowditch
Physician & Humanitarian; Professor of Clinical Medicine at Harvard Medical School
1808-1892
