Dr. William Roy

Dr. William Roy was a pioneering Scottish surveyor and inventor in the 18th century, renowned for his work in measuring the United Kingdom's landscape with remarkable precision. He developed innovative surveying techniques and instruments, notably contributing to the first accurate mapping of Britain, including attempts to determine its longitude. Roy's efforts laid the groundwork for modern geodesy and geographic measurement, significantly advancing our understanding of Earth's shape and size. His work also influenced the development of the Ordnance Survey, the UK's official mapping agency, helping create detailed and reliable maps that still serve as important references today.