Sir William Petty

views updated

Sir William Petty

1632-1687

English-Irish economist and physician who invented the first modern cataraman, a boat with two hulls. A prominent figure in his time, Petty served in a number of important positions with the English government. He was a founding member of the Royal Society, and in 1662 published one of the first books on vital statistics. Also in 1662, Petty built his catamaran, the Experiment, in Ireland.

More From encyclopedia.com