Adams, George, 1750-1795

George Adams the younger (1750–1795) was an English scientist, optician and scientific writer. He was mathematical instrument maker to King George III of Great Britain, succeeding his father George Adams in the post. He also made globes. Around 1770, Adams invented the lucernal microscope, a type of projection microscope where the image is projected on a screen by a large oil lamp, as to make it easier to draw or trace the image. In politics Adams was a Tory, and as such was received with favour at court by George III. He died 14 August 1795, at Southampton, and was succeeded in his business and in the post of mathematical instrument maker to the king by his brother, Dudley Adams.