Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (astronomer and mathematician)
Dates
- Existence: 1732 - 1811
Biography
Nevil Maskelyne (1732-1811), astronomer and mathematician, was born in London on 6 October 1732, and educated at Westminster School. He entered Catherine Hall, Cambridge, in 1749, but migrated subsequently to Trinity College (B.A., 1754; M.A., 1757; D.D., 1777), where he became a Fellow in 1757. He was ordained curate of Barnet, Hertfordshire, in 1755, and received the living of Shrawardine, Shropshire, 1775, and the rectory of North Runcton, Norfolk, 1782. He was appointed Astronomer Royal in 1765 and oversaw the publication of the first 'Nautical Almanac' in 1766. In 1774 he planned and superintended the Schiehallion Experiment, which attempted to determine the earth's density by examining the gravitational attraction of a mountain in Perthshire. During his lifetime, he made over 90,000 observations, which were published in instalments between 1776 and 1811. He died at Greenwich Observatory on 9 February 1811.
Found in 263 Collections and/or Records:
Letter from William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, 1787-06-05
Concerning observations taken (including observations for the rate of the timekeeper, K1).
Letter from William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, 1787-06-09
Concerning observations made and including revised calculations of latitudes and longitudes by the timekeeper [K1].
Letter from William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, 1787-08-06
Reporting on their progress (the ship had arrived at Rio de Janeiro) and on observations made en route. Dawes also mentions that his cabin was partially under water and that his Requisite Tables had been damaged and needed replacing.
Letter from William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, 1787-09-03
Reporting on observations made at the Island of Enxadas, Rio de Janeiro. The letter includes mention of a visit by two astronomers from Portugal employed to settle the limits between the Spanish and Portuguese settlements in Brazil.
Letter from William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, 1788-04-23
Reporting on observations made in Rio de Janeiro and on meeting Colonel Gordon, Commandant of the troops at Cape Town and a keen astronomer. Dawes reports that he had arranged with Gordon for observations to be made at Cape Town of the comet which was expected the following year; he also lists Gordon's instruments and books to show his ability for the task.
Letter from William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, 1788-04-30 - 1788-05-05
Written from the new settlement at New South Wales. Dawes reports on his work there, mentioning the lack of resources and the clearing of land for an observatory. He includes a rough sketch of the observatory.
Letter from William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, 1788-07-10
Reporting on his activities between leaving the Cape of Good Hope and his arrival at Sydney. The letter also includes an account of constructing the observatory in Sydney, and of the practical difficulties involved, particularly in finding suitable materials and craftsmen. He mentions, for example, that the forty marines employed in the work had to be provided with rum, water and new shoes (due to the damage from brushwood). Dawes also seeks further money and provisions.
Letter from William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, 1788-07-12
Reporting on the status of the observatory (which was nearly complete), on expenses incurred, and on his role there.
Letter from William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, 1788-10-01
Letter from William Dawes to Nevil Maskelyne, 1788-11-17
Informing Maskelyne that he had a sent a letter via the Fishburn under Captain [Robert] Brown.
Letter from William Gooch, Brockdish, Norfolk, 1794-04-27
The letter is concerned with the settling of accounts.
Letter from William Gooch to his mother, Sarah Gooch, 29 Apr. 1791
Concerning whether or not he would go abroad, Dr Maskelyne's close observation of him, his tasks at Greenwich, and clothing required for the voyage.
Letter from William Gooch to his parents, 13 June 1791
Concerning the Board's resolution with regard to his salary, a box received from his mother, and a visit to Sir Joseph Banks.
Letter from William Gooch to his parents, 26 Feb. 1791
Concerning a delay to the departure and his expected duties as astronomer.
Letter from William Gooch to his parents, 21 Apr. 1791
Concerning an interview with Nevil Maskelyne.
Letter from William Innes on finding the longitude by the moon's meridian altitude, 1809-02-25
Letter from William Manwaring, Paddington, 1799-12-17
The letter was sent with gifts of a pair of pigeons and some pears. The letter is covered with various computations in Maskelyne's hand.
Letter from William Marrat on an instrument for measuring altitude, 1803-11-01
Includes a drawing.
Letter from William Marsden, Fort Marlborough (Bengkulu in Indonesia), 1772-11-25
In the letter Marsden praises Maskelyne's 'British Mariner's Guide' and method of finding longitude, and relates his own observations made with a sextant.
Letter from William Wales, 1786-03-23
Covering letter sent with an enclosed paper (non-extant) commenting on the accuracy of some tables.
Letter from William Wales, Christ's Hospital, 1798-06-05
The letter is concerned with a set of papers which are to be examined by the Board of Longitude Oversight Committee which included Sir Joseph Banks. The letter is covered with various computations.
Letter notifying Andrews that Maskelyne was very ill, sent by his daughter Margaret Maskelyne, 1811-02-07
The letters are primarily from Nevil Maskelyne but include three sent to Andrews by Margaret Maskelyne, following the death of her father.
Letter of sympathy from Latitia Booth to her niece Margaret Maskelyne, 1811-02-12
On the death of Margaret's father, Nevil Maskelyne.
Letter to Nevil Maskelyne, 1806-03-01
From Mr Marsden concerning papers from Captain Flinders.
Letter to Nevil Maskelyne from the clerk of the check, Greenwich Hospital, 1809-11-21
Concerning a submission [from Peter Rothwell].
Additional filters:
- ARCHON code (for CUL materials)
- Royal Greenwich Observatory (GBR/0180) 238
- Archives and MSS Dept. (GBR/0012) 25
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