Object Description
William Cary, London Circular Protractor. C.1810
The protractor with geared knob turn for full diameter bar, double hinged scribe arms with shaped frame. Main wheel with four spokes and glass sight cross centre, full circumference inscribed divider to 360 degrees signed Cary, London to the bar. Adjustment screws to the arms and housed in it’s original mahogany case with hinged lid.
William Cary is listed as working in Strand, London from 1801 to 1825.
William Cary was an important scientific instrument maker, he trained under Jesse Ramsden (1735-1800) he produced numerous scientific instruments including mechanical calculators, measuring instruments, telescopes, microscopes and navigation and surveying equipment.
Instruments made by William Cary were used around the world including Russia and India. He also made instruments for the English chemist William Hyde Wollaston. After his death in 1825 the firm was taken over by Charles Gould who had trained under him.