STEVIN

, Stevinus (Simon), a Flemish mathematician of Bruges, who died in 1633. He was master of mathematics to prince Maurice of Nassau, and inspector of the dykes in Holland. It is said he was the inventor of the sailing chariots, sometimes made use of in Holland. He was a good practical mathematician and mechanist, and was author of several useful works: as, treatises on Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Statics, Optics, Trigonometry, Geography, Astronomy, Fortification, and many others, in the Dutch language, which were translated into Latin, by Snellius, and printed in 2 volumes folio. There are also two editions in the French language, in folio, both printed at Leyden, the one in 1608, and the other in 1634, with curious notes and additions, by Albert Girard.—For a particular account of Stevin's inventions and improvements in Algebra, which were many and ingenious, see our article Algebra, vol. 1, pa. 82 and 83.