Mathematician, astronomer, engineer, soldier and Member of Parliament. Born at Wotton, near Canterbury. After the death of his father Lionel, Digges was taken under the wing of John Dee (1527-1609), one time astrologer to Queen Mary. He published numerous books, including "Pantometria" in 1571, which was partly his own work and partly his father's. It includes what is said to be the earliest description of a telescope. In 1572 he was the first Englishman to observe a supernova, publishing "Alae seu scalae" the following year. Digges was the first in England to champion the theories of Copernicus and was the first to suggest an infinite universe. He undertook a number of major civil engineering projects, including Dover Harbour. He served as Muster-Master of the armies in the Low Countries from 1586 until 1594. He was buried in a "fair tomb on the North side of the Chancel".
Mathematician, astronomer, engineer, soldier and Member of Parliament. Born at Wotton, near Canterbury. After the death of his father Lionel, Digges was taken under the wing of John Dee (1527-1609), one time astrologer to Queen Mary. He published numerous books, including "Pantometria" in 1571, which was partly his own work and partly his father's. It includes what is said to be the earliest description of a telescope. In 1572 he was the first Englishman to observe a supernova, publishing "Alae seu scalae" the following year. Digges was the first in England to champion the theories of Copernicus and was the first to suggest an infinite universe. He undertook a number of major civil engineering projects, including Dover Harbour. He served as Muster-Master of the armies in the Low Countries from 1586 until 1594. He was buried in a "fair tomb on the North side of the Chancel".
