John Harrison

3 April 1693 – 24 March 1776

John Harrison was a self-taught English carpenter and clockmaker who invented the marine chronometer, solving the problem of determining longitude at sea. His H4 sea watch of 1759 revolutionized navigation, and after decades of trials he was finally rewarded by the British Parliament near the end of his life.

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Life events

Born in Foulby, Yorkshire, England
3 April 1693

John Harrison was born on 3 April 1693 in Foulby, near Wakefield, the eldest son of a carpenter.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Family moved to Barrow upon Humber, Lincolnshire
c. 1700

Around 1700 the Harrison family relocated to Barrow upon Humber, where John followed his father's carpentry trade.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Relocation ✓
Built his first pendulum clock, made almost entirely of wood
1713

In 1713, at about age twenty, the self-taught Harrison completed his first longcase clock constructed largely from wood.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Travelled to London seeking support under the Longitude Act
1730

In 1730 Harrison went to London to present his marine timekeeper ideas, gaining encouragement and support from clockmaker George Graham and astronomer Edmond Halley.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Completed his first marine timekeeper, H1, and tested it on a voyage to Lisbon
1735 – 1736

Harrison finished the H1 sea clock in 1735 and it was successfully trialled on a voyage to Lisbon and back in 1736.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Completed the H4 marine watch
1759

After decades of refinement through the H2 and H3 machines, Harrison completed his compact H4 sea watch in 1759, his masterpiece.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
H4 proved itself on a trial voyage to Jamaica
November 1761 – March 1762

On a 1761-1762 voyage to Jamaica carried by his son William, the H4 watch kept time accurately enough to determine longitude well within the limits of the Longitude Act.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Received a final monetary award from Parliament
1773

In 1773, after intervention by King George III, Parliament granted Harrison a further sum in recognition of his achievement, effectively acknowledging he had solved the longitude problem.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Died in London
24 March 1776

John Harrison died on 24 March 1776 at his home in Red Lion Square, London, and was buried in Hampstead.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓