Henry Sutton London-based mathematical instrument maker Henry Sutton was one of the leading technical illustrators and engravers of England during the 1600s. He was renowned for his skill and accuracy and specialised in the gradation of scales that had been printed on paper from copperplates. He had the ability to work on both brass and wood and also in reverse on a copper printing plate. The promotion and establishment of Sutton’s ‘incomparable’ reputation during his own lifetime and into the present is explored by Jim Bennett in his chapter on Sutton in the publication celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Whipple Museum of the History of Science.[1] Sutton’s abilities were such that his reputation, among both connoisseurs and mathematical practitioners, continued to endure a century or so after his death, with his name even becoming synonymous with quality and accuracy. Sutton was a member of the Joiners’ Company and worked in Threadneedle Street in London. We know that his premises were near those of clockmaker Samuel Knibb. Antiquarian Jonathan Carter posits the possibility that the two may have even shared space and collaborated to some extent: … their partnership allows not only the possibility that Sutton executed the necessary dividing and engraving of rings for Knibb, but also that Sutton’s workshop may have already been acting as engravers to the [Ahasuerus] Fromanteel workshops ...[2] Surviving works by Sutton include the wooden quadrant, dated to 1658 (coming soon to Clocktime).[3] The paper scales on the quadrant were pulled from a single copper plate. Sutton used the single plate for the batch production of printed paper scales such as this one, as an economising measure. In this wooden quadrant’s case, the date ‘1658’ represents the start date of each batch manufacture. Mathematician John Collins published a treatise on the use of quadrants that provided the directive with paper prints of each quadrant, either loose or pasted upon boards; to be sold at the respective places aforesaid, 1659. The quadrants to which he refers were most likely made by Sutton, who is credited among the publishers of Collin’s treatise: Henry Sutton, mathematical instrument-maker, at his house in Thred-needle street, behind the Exchange.[4] Sutton also made the printed azimuth magnetic surveyor’s compass of around 1650 or 1656 (coming soon to Clocktime).[5] It features two partly printed and hand-drawn papers mounted one on top of the other, also batch manufactured. It is unclear whether the last number for the date printed on Sutton’s surveying compass is a ‘0’ or a ‘6’; hence, the confusion over the date of this artefact. While mathematical instruments such as Sutton’s did not directly affect horological development, they do have their place in horological history. In her book Longitude, Dava Sobel explains that during the 1600s the accepted theory was that the solution to the problem of longitude would be an astronomical one – that longitude could be calculated by reading the relative positions of celestial bodies, such as the moons of Jupiter (newly discovered by Galileo).[6] Thus, quadrants such as those produced by Sutton were essential equipment in the pursuit of this problem and were indispensable for safe navigation. Henry Sutton died suddenly during 1665, when a wave plague erupted in London, as did his neighbour Samuel Knibb around 1670. Upon learning of Sutton’s death, Sir Robert Moray wrote to Henry Oldenburg, wee all here are much troubled with the poor loss of [Anthony] Thomson & Sutton, and then again to John Wallis, I found wanting Mr Anthony Thompson and Mr Henrie Sutton, two of the best Mathematicall Instrument Makers.’.[7] Examples of Sutton’s work survive as illustrations in books and as printed sheets and engravings on brass plates or wooden boards. They can be found at the Science Museum in London, the British Museum, the Royal Museums Greenwich, the Museum of the History of Science in Oxford and the Whipple Museum of the History of Science in Cambridge. End Notes [1] Bennett 2019. [2] Carter 2021b, 15. [3] Carter 2021b, 14–15, Catalogue No. 3. [4] Collins 1659. [5] Carter 2021a, 16–17, Catalogue No. 4. [6] Sobel 2007. [7] Sir Robert Morary (b. around 1608, d. 4 July 1673) was from a significant family in Perthshire, Scotland. He was a celebrated soldier, scientist, judge, diplomat and author, and his best-selling work, The Invisible College, explored the early days of Gresham College, University of Cambridge. He was also one of the founders and the first President of the Royal Society (Lomas 2009). See also Bennett 2019, 94, nos. 22 and 23. References Bennett, J. 2019. ‘That incomparable instrument maker: The reputation of Henry Sutton’ in Nall, J., L. Taub and F. Willmoth (editors). Objects and Investigations: To celebrate the 75th anniversary of R. S. Whipple's gift to the University of Cambridge. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (published online). pp. 83–100. Carter, J. 2021a. The John C Taylor Collection: Part I (Selling Exhibition Catalogue). Winchester: Carter Marsh & Co. Carter, J. 2021b. The John C Taylor Collection: Part II (Selling Exhibition Catalogue). Winchester: Carter Marsh & Co. Collins, J. 1659. The Sector on a Quadrant: The sector on a quadrant, or a treatise containing the description and use of four several quadrants; two small ones and two great ones, each rendred many ways, both general and particular. Each of them accomodated for dyalling; for resolving of all proportions instrumentally and for the ready finding the hour and azimuth universally in the equal limbe. Of great use to seaman and practitioners in the mathematics. Also an appendix touching reflected dyalling from a glass placed at any reclination. London: J.M. for George Hurlock. Lomas, R. 2009. The Invisible College: The secret history of how the Freemasons founded the Royal Society. London: Corgi Books. Sobel, D. 2007. Longitude: The story of a lone genius who solved the greatest scientific problem of his time. London: Harper Perrenial.
