MOTTE, Andrew (1696-1734) — London
Draughtsman, engraver, mathematician and writer. Engraved A plan of the temple of Mecca and View of the temple of Mecca, for George Sale’s translation of “The Koran, commonly called the Alcoran of Mohammed” 1734; drew and engraved The figure of an orrery in different views for N. Bailey, “Dictionarium Britannicum” 1730. Also known for botanical and anatomical plates, etc.
Motte was baptised at St. Botolph Aldersgate, London, 16 Aug 1696 — a son of the printer Benjamin Motte and his wife, Ann Clarke, herself the daughter of a printer. His brother, also Benjamin Motte, was a printer. He was employed by John Sturt at twenty-five shillings a week and “diet” in 1723 and occasionally designed as well as engraved frontispieces for his brother. John Senex noted him as one of “the ablest hands in England” in 1723 and he appeared on Samuel Sympson’s list of leading engravers compiled in or about 1726. He was a member of the Spalding Club and at one time lecturer in geometry at Gresham College. He published some of his lectures as “A treatise of the mechanical powers” 1727, brought out by his brother. He translated Sir Isaac Newton’s “Principia mathematica” as “The mathematical principles of natural philosophy” in 1729. Motte died 19 Feb 1734 and was buried at St. Andrew Holborn 22 Feb 1734. (For names in bold, see BME 2011).
Staples Inn — 1734
Alexander. BBTI. BM. BNA. COPAC. Hammelmann. Maxted (1984). ODNB. Russell.