The winner of the Longitude prize was British: John Harrison. 

The book you may be referring to: 

_Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest
Scientific Problem of His Time._ by Dava Sobel 

A great story of intrigue describing the competition between this
mechanic and the astronomers.

He actually took the big clock on a ship for testing, and through 5
prototypes developed the accurate pocket watch. The clocks are still
extant. It's amazing.

D.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: plz practice conservation of histo presto eye blinks 
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of 
> Leland Torrence
> Sent: Monday, February 11, 2008 9:55 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [BP] wood bearings
> 
> I can't put my hands on the book, nor remember details, but 
> there was a
> famous horologist, that hailed from France.  He was the 
> eventual winner of
> the British award for making the first accurate maritime 
> clock.  However, in
> the book it describes one of the first large tower clocks 
> this self taught
> horologist made, or which every part was wood.  Who is the 
> horologist and
> what is the book?
> Best,
> Leland


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