Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (astronomer and mathematician)
Person
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:
File
Letters (1788-1839) Story, Rigby, Maskelyne and Lady Booth, 1788 - 1950
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 218/10
Scope and Contents
Blue folder of letters relating to the family of Anthony Mervyn Story-Maskelyne. The letters were mainly sent to Margaret and Anthony, with some additional correspondence between other members of Anthony's family. The letters to Margaret Story-Maskelyne include letters from her husband, her mother Sophia Maskelyne, her aunt Lady Booth, her mother-in-law, Biddy Story, and her husband's aunts. They also include two letters from George Airy and Mrs Pond relating to an incident in which...
Dates:
1788 - 1950
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
File
Letters from Maskelyne to Henry Andrews, 1768 - 1811
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 4/149
Scope and Contents
The letters are primarily from Nevil Maskelyne but include three sent to Andrews by Margaret Maskelyne, following the death of her father.
Dates:
1768 - 1811
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Item
Letters sent by Lady Clive vol. 2, 1806 - 1809
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 218/9/2
Scope and Contents
A blue folder of c.44 letters sent by Lady Clive to her niece, Margaret Maskelyne, her brother Nevil Maskelyne, and other family members. Topics include procuring a pair of globes, astronomy, and family or domestic matters. Each letter is preceded by a later note on its content.
All items have been numbered according to their original order in the file.
Dates:
1806 - 1809
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Item
Letters sent by Lady Clive vol. 3, 1810 - 1813
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 218/9/3
Scope and Contents
A folder of c.54 letters sent by Lady Clive to her niece, Margaret Maskelyne, her brother Nevil Maskelyne, and other family members. Topics include astronomy, the great comet of 1811, and family or domestic matters, including the death of Nevil Maskelyne (see letter dated 16 Feb. 1811), her opinion of his successor as Astronomer Royal [John Pond; see letter dated 28 Sep. 1811], biographical information about her brother Edward Maskelyne who had invited her to Madras where she met Lord Clive...
Dates:
1810 - 1813
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Item
Letters sent by Lady Clive vol. 4, 1814 - 1817
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 218/9/4
Scope and Contents
A folder of c.55 letters sent by Lady Clive mainly to her niece, Margaret Maskelyne. Topics include astronomy, politics (including the abdication of Napoleon and events in Spain) and family or domestic matters, including details of family history, and the death of her daughter Margaret Walpole as a result of injury by fire (1814). The letter of 3 Dec. 1814 includes mention of Nevil Maskelyne's 'confrère', Delambre. That of 19 June 1816 refers to the knighthood of William Herschel. That of 17...
Dates:
1814 - 1817
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Item
Letters sent by Lady Clive vol. I, 1762 - 1805
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 218/9/1
Scope and Contents
A blue folder of c.47 letters sent by Lady Clive to her brothers, Edmund and Nevil Maskelyne, her niece, Margaret Maskelyne, and other family members. The file also includes an index, biographical notes about Lord and Lady Clive, a family tree, a history of two globes kept in the library at Basset Down, and an account of her son and daughter-in-law's arrival in India (1798). Many letters are preceded by a later note on their content. Many discuss astronomy, in which Lady Clive took great...
Dates:
1762 - 1805
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Item
List of manuscript books and papers of the late Dr Halley, 1765
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 218/3/17
Scope and Contents
A list of manuscript books and papers of the late Dr Halley which were sent to the Earl of Morton by his daughter Mrs Price; annotated with a note from Nevil Maskelyne stating that he had received them on 25th July.
Dates:
1765
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Item
List of publications by Maskelyne in 'Philosophical Transactions', 1761-1787., 1761 - 1787
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 4/320/9: 1
Scope and Contents
From the Series:
The collection comprises a large series of observations, calculations, computations and tables, with accounts, booklets, illustrations, journals of voyages, notes, treatises and other material. There is a large volume of correspondence, which reflects the varied nature of the Astronomer Royal's work, and includes correspondence with computers and comparers; letters from Gauss, Piazzi, Zach and Olbers, who contacted Maskelyne at the time of the discovery of the minor planets; and...
Dates:
1761 - 1787
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
File
Log book of voyage to Barbados, 1761 - 1764
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 4/321
Scope and Contents
A log book by Maskelyne of a voyage to Barbados, split into three parts.
Dates:
1761 - 1764
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Item
Log entries for July and 1 August, 1775-07-01 - 1775-08-01
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/58: 180-186
Scope and Contents
Log entries for the return journey, travelling via Fayal [Faial] in the Azores to Spithead, near Plymouth, where the ship anchored on 29 July. Entries for the 13-18 July record that when the ship anchored in Fayal Bay Wales went on shore with his instruments to take observations by which he found that the watch was too fast for mean time; he goes on to say that he had a troublesome job of adjusting the instrument [RGO 14/58: 183-183v]. The final entries after landing at Spithead recount how...
Dates:
1775-07-01 - 1775-08-01
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
File
Maskelyne Book 2
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 35/138
Scope and Contents
An undated photocopy of 'Maskelyne Book 2' entitled 'Presents of my Observations, Papers in the Philosophical Transactions, &c', covering 1775-1803. The book includes the names of people to whom Nevil Maskelyne has arranged to give speeches, including Joseph de Lalande, Sir John Pringle, Charles Mason, Dr Lind and Jean Delambre.
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
File
Maskelyne notebook: rough drafts of solutions of various astronomical problems, 1750 - 1772
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 4/66
Scope and Contents
Various rough drafts of the solution of astronomical problems.
Dates:
1750 - 1772
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
File
Memoranda books of Nevil Maskelyne, 1763 - 1810
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 218/2
Scope and Contents
A set of 12 memoranda books belonging to the fifth Astronomer Royal, Nevil Maskelyne. All but one cover the period while he was at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich.
Dates:
1763 - 1810
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Item
Memorandum book, '1763 Observations at sea', 1763-09-20 - 1763-10-19
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 218/2/1
Scope and Contents
A record of observations at sea with calculations and notes, including notes on observations of Jupiter's satellites and on his chronometers during his voyage to Barbados [to test John Harrison's chronometer H4].
Dates:
1763-09-20 - 1763-10-19
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
File
Minutes of the Board of Visitors, 1710 - 1784
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 6/21
Scope and Contents
Minutes of the Council of the Royal Society:14 December 1710: concerning a letter from the Queen, dated 12 December 1710, regarding the formation of a Board of Visitors for the Royal Observatory.30 May 1711: concerning a letter sent to the Revd John Flamsteed.16 October 1711: concerning a meeting with Flamsteed.12 June 1712: ordering a report by a 'Mathematical Instrument maker' on the number and condition of the instruments at the Royal Observatory.4...
Dates:
1710 - 1784
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
File
Minutes of the Board of Visitors, 1784 - 1830
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 6/22
Scope and Contents
Minutes of the Council of the Royal Society:27 May 1784: resolving that the printing bill for the second volume of the 'Greenwich Observations' be paid.24 June 1784: concerning the King's approval of a proposal for ascertaining the relative situations of the observatories at Greenwich and Paris.29 July 1784: concerning and including a letter from Lieut. General Roy, dated 28 June 1784, on the measurement of a base line. The minutes also cover Visitation...
Dates:
1784 - 1830
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
File
Miscellaneous astronomical papers, 1835 - 1848
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 6/245
Scope and Contents
Miscellaneous papers concerning astronomical matters, including letters from T. Henderson, C.P. Smyth, A. de Morgan, J.R. Hind, J.W. Lubbock, J. Challis, F. Baily and others. The subjects covered include the printing of comet tables; the locations in the 'Philosophical Transactions' of the papers of Flamsteed, Bradley and Maskelyne relating to Greenwich observations; reports on the transit of Mercury, 1832; the occultation of Mercury, 1838; newspaper cuttings of the transit of Mercury in...
Dates:
1835 - 1848
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
File
Nautical astronomy, 1770 - 1810
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 4/196
Scope and Contents
A set of loose pages dealing with problems in ascertaining latitude and longitude at sea by observation of the stars, with descriptions, computations and formulae referred to apparent time. There are also sections on finding the Moon's longitude from the nautical ephemeris [RGO 4/196: 1r], the motion of the Sun's image in a Hadley quadrant [RGO 4/196: 2r], and the testing of other people's hypotheses.
It is not known if the papers are foliated in their original order.
Dates:
1770 - 1810
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Series
Nevil Maskelyne : Letter to John Nourse, January 1767
Series
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.9563/78
Scope and Contents
1 letter 20 January 1767, asking for 'a nautical almanac stitched in blue
Dates:
January 1767
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in:
Cambridge University Library
/
Miscellaneous accessions
Fonds
Nevil Maskelyne: Letter to John Nourse, 1773
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.4251/944
Scope and Contents
From the Fonds:
Artificial collection of single item or small collection accessions. Mainly correspondence but includes other papers.
Dates:
1773
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Found in:
Cambridge University Library
/
Miscellaneous Accessions
Series
Nevil Maskelyne: Personal and Family Papers, 1749 - 1950
Series
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 218
Scope and Contents
A collection of papers of Nevil Maskelyne and letters relating to his family, including the extended family (by marriage) of his daughter, Margaret Story-Maskelyne. The collection includes an account and diary of a voyage to India mentioning Nevil Maskelyne and Lord Clive, twelve memoranda books and one account book belonging to Maskelyne, and a catalogue and list of his books. There is also a set of documents relating to the Royal Observatory Greenwich. The letters include...
Dates:
1749 - 1950
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Item
Note by Nevil Maskelyne concerning the regulations governing his position as Astronomer Royal, 1765
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 218/3/14
Scope and Contents
From the File:
Set of documents relating to the Royal Observatory, wrapped in paper marked 'King's warrant of appointment to the Royal Observatory, appointment of visitors and sundry other papers relative to the Royal Observatory'.
Dates:
1765
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Item
Note from a Mrs Ward, Mayfair, 1795-05-16
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 4/187/21: 1-2
Scope and Contents
The note informs Nevil Maskelyne of the address of a Mrs James. Maskelyne has covered the paper with extensive notes and calculations.
Dates:
1795-05-16
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Item
Note to Nevil Maskelyne from Mr Shadwell, 1774-03-30
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 218/3/21
Scope and Contents
Signifying that the Royal Society were to deliver to him 500 copies of the astronomical observations.
Dates:
1774-03-30
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Item
Notebook containing notes by Theresa Story-Maskelyne on the letters of Lady Clive, 1850 - 1900
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 218/9/6
Scope and Contents
Preceded by a subject index. The notebook includes biographical notes, notes on letters concerning Urania [Uranus] and comets, and extracts of letters on various topics from cats and carpets to Lady Clive's collection of globes.
Dates:
1850 - 1900
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Management Group:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Additional filters:
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