John Seller: Instrument Maker and Plagiarist

摘要

Plagiarism, i.e. taking the work, design or idea of someone else and passing it off as one's own, is a human failing that is as prevalent today as it was in the 17th century. That the title of this article should be "John Seller -Instrument Maker and Plagiarist' suggests that Seller was notorious as a plagiarist, whereas, in comparison with others of his time, he was not. Well known clockmakers, instrument-makers and those who employed apprentices and others to produce their works of scientific art, would commonly have their signature on the finished article: this was not regarded as plagiarism. However, Seller indulged in various practices which far exceeded the term 'plagiarism', as we will show beyond all reasonable doubt later in this paper.