Edmund Stone (1695?–1768) was the son of a gardener at Inverary employed by John Campbell (1680–1743), second Duke of Argyll and Greenwich, and Master-General of the Ordnance from 1725 to 1740. In service of the Duke from an early age, Stone self-taught mathematics and managed to master geometry and analysis, as well as French and Latin. At the age of 18 his abilities were discovered by chance by the Duke, who provided Stone with employment that allowed him to commit himself to his studies. In 1725 Stone was elected Fellow of the Royal Society, no doubt thanks to the influence of his patron, the Duke of Argyll.

Under the patronage of the Duke, from 1723 onwards Stone published a number of mathematical works. His scientific contributions were confined mostly to translating and editing. His knowledge of French and Latin enabled him to translate several works into English. These works cannot nevertheless be regarded as mere translations. For, on the one hand, not only did Stone revise and correct the works he translated, but he also enlarged them with additions. On the other hand, there was a clear educational motivation behind his projects.

Geometry and the method of fluxions were the subjects of a first group of translations and revisions tackled by Stone. A second group was centred on practical mathematics, namely, “sphericks”, mathematical instruments, perspective, the working of ships and astronomy. In particular, in 1723 Stone translated Nicolas Bion’s work on the construction and principal uses of mathematical instruments (1716), which he dedicated to the Duke. In the translator’s preface, Stone defines mathematics both as a science (in connection with the theory) and as an art (in connection with the practice). This led him to discuss the usefulness of practical mathematics and, in turn, of the construction and use of mathematical instruments.

With regard to this second group of works, the aim of this contribution is to examine the connection between theory and practice and to explore the role played by the Duke of Argyll in the production and circulation of Stone’s works on practical mathematics.