Henry Kater

author

Henry Kater

1777–1835

A soldier-turned-scientist, he became known for precise measurements that helped shape British surveying and standards. He is especially remembered for the reversible pendulum that made it easier to determine local gravity with unusual accuracy.

1 Audiobook

A Treatise on Mechanics

A Treatise on Mechanics

by Henry Kater, Dionysius Lardner

About the author

Born in Bristol in 1777, Henry Kater served in the British Army before turning to science. He built a strong reputation as a physicist and astronomer, with a gift for careful measurement and practical instrument design.

Kater is best known for work on the reversible pendulum, an important advance in measuring gravitational acceleration. He also played a part in geodesy and standards work in Britain, including efforts connected with surveying and with establishing accurate measures of length.

He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society and remained active in scientific work until his death in 1835. His career stands out for combining military experience, hands-on experimentation, and a lasting influence on precision measurement.