Nathaniel Bowditch (March 26th, 1773 — March 16th, 1838) was an early American mathematician, who wrote on ocean navigation. Bowditch is credited as the founder of modern maritime navigation; his book The New American Practical Navigator, first published in 1802, was carried onboard every commissioned U.S. Naval vessel.
The author chronicles Nathaniel Bowditch's life, from his modest beginnings as a scrawny indentured servant, through his rigorous self-education, to his first sea voyage, married life, and the use of his fine-tuned mastery of navigation in the eventual publication of his famous work, The American Practical Navigator (also known as the "Sailor's Bible")—a book about navigation still used 200 years later. Nat's amazing discoveries and accomplishments are brought to life for generations of readers in this engrossing maritime biography.
"Delightful, interesting, and inspiring biography of a rather obscure yet important figure in the maritime history of our country." —Library Journal, starred review