Men of Kent and Kentishmen/William Bourn
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William Bourn,
MATHEMATICIAN,
Was born at Gravesend, of which town he became Portreeve. Though not a sailor, he seems to have devoted himself early to the study of gunnery and navigation, on which subjects he published many treatises, which he dedicated to distinguished men of the time, including Charles Howard, Earl of Effingham. These works contain much curious information, and many inventions of subsequent times seem to be anticipated in them. His method of expressing himself, however, betrays the awkwardness of the self-taught man. He left behind him several MSS., which are to be found in the Landsdowne and Sloane Collections in the British Museum. He died 22nd March 1582-3.
[See Cruden's History of Gravesend.]