John Hadley

Early Life and Education

John Hadley, an English mathematician and inventor, was born in Bloomsbury, London, on April 16, 1682. John, the eldest son of George Hadley and Katherine FitzJames, resided in Osidge, East Barnet, Hertfordshire. While not much is known about his early schooling, it is obvious that Hadley had a deep fascination with math and mechanics at a young age.

Hadley joined the esteemed Royal Society of London in 1717 at the age of 35, and later became vice-president. Through this association, he had the opportunity to display his inventions and work alongside other brilliant individuals of his era. Hadley’s most significant contributions came in two areas: navigation and astronomy.

The Invention of the Octant

Hadley created the reflecting octant in 1730, a groundbreaking navigation tool. This device could measure the altitude of celestial bodies above the horizon at sea, allowing sailors to accurately determine their latitude. The octant’s double-reflecting principle increased its accuracy significantly, enhancing maritime navigation.

Thomas Godfrey, an American, also independently created a similar device around the same period, causing debate on its origin.

Advancements in Telescope Design

Hadley’s other significant contribution was to the field of astronomy. In 1721, he presented the first parabolic Newtonian telescope to the Royal Society. This telescope, with a 6-inch-diameter primary mirror, was a significant improvement over existing models.

Hadley devised new approaches for producing accurate aspheric and parabolic objective mirrors for reflecting telescopes. By using his methods, telescopes became more accurate and powerful, greatly enhancing astronomical observations.

In 1729, Hadley inherited his father’s East Barnet estate. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Hodges, FRS, who was the former Attorney General of Barbados, and they had a son named John in 1738.

Personal Life and Legacy

John Hadley passed away on February 14, 1744, in East Barnet, Hertfordshire, at the age of 61. He was buried in the local churchyard with his relatives.

Hadley’s influence continues in the realms of navigation and astronomy. The octant transformed into the sextant, which was a key navigation tool until GPS was introduced. In astronomy, his improvements to the reflecting telescope paved the way for future advancements in the field.

In recognition of his contributions, Mons Hadley and Rima Hadley on the Moon are named after him. The Oasis Trust Academy in Ponders End, north London, is known as Oasis Academy Hadley in his honor.

John Hadley’s life and work show the broad impacts of innovations across different fields. His developments in navigation and astronomy were instrumental in the scientific and maritime revolutions of the 18th century.