I just finished reading the book, Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, so I decided to do a little research about Nathaniel Bowditch. Bowditch was born March 26, 1773 in Salem Massachusetts. He attended school until he was 10 years of age and was considered an excellent student interested in mathematics. Due to financial difficulties in the family, Nathaniel went to work for his father at the cooperage and then entered an indentured servant contract to Ropes and Hodges, ship chandlers. He would study every night from books borrowed from Mr. Hodges and others.

By the time he was 18 years old he had taught himself Latin and French and study astronomy, mathematics and surveying. In 1794, he assisted William Bentley and John Gibaut in a survey of Salem. Gibaut was so impressed, he invited Bowditch to sign up as a clerk on his next trip to the West Indies. He sailed five times to the West Indies each time improving on his navigational skills. During these times he found numerous errors in Moore’s navigational guide used at the time. He vowed to write a new guide that would assist sailors and captains. In 1802, Bowditch’s American Practical Navigator was published and a copy is still found on most ships today.

Bowditch was married twice, first to Elizabeth Boardman who died a few months after their marriage, then latter to his cousin Mary “Polly” Ingersoll. They had eight children.

After his last voyage, Bowditch became president of the Essex Fire and Marine Insurance Company in Salem. He set up what would become a “Massachusetts Trust” – separate accounts so that gains and losses would not affect each other. He later moved to Boston, at the age of 50, to become an actuary with the Massachusetts Hospital Life Insurance Company.

Bowditch was awarded ah honorary LL.D. from Harvard College in 1802. In 1806, he declined a Professorship of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy but two years later become an Harvard overseer. As overseer he found over $120,000 in errors and recommended changes which ultimately led to the resignation of Harvard President John Kirkland.

Bowditch died on March 16, 1838 due to stomach cancer. His wife died four years before.

Nathaniel Bowditch is a fine example of self-taught excellence and learning.