James Arthur

author

James Arthur

1842–1930

A curious early-20th-century writer on science and technology, he explored one of humanity’s oldest questions: how we measure time. His best-known work guides readers from ancient sundials to modern clocks with a mix of history, mechanics, and big-picture wonder.

1 Audiobook

Time and Its Measurement

Time and Its Measurement

by James Arthur

About the author

Born in 1842 and dying in 1930, James Arthur is known today chiefly for Time and Its Measurement, a work reprinted from Popular Mechanics Magazine in 1909. The book traces the history of timekeeping across cultures, moving from ancient devices and calendars to mechanical clocks and the astronomical basis of standard time.

Arthur’s writing stands out for how comfortably it crosses boundaries. He treats time not just as a technical subject, but as a human one, linking practical inventions such as dials, clocks, and watches with larger questions about astronomy, daily life, and the way societies organize themselves.

Little biographical information was readily confirmed from the sources consulted, so his published work remains the clearest window into his interests. Even so, Time and Its Measurement shows an author with a gift for making specialized ideas approachable and genuinely engaging.