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:
Item
Notes and tables on various rates of chronometers, 1779 - 1826
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/23: 107-111
Scope and Contents
From the Series:
The first part of collection is comprised of papers concerning the internal affairs of the Board of Longitude, including the granting of awards, accounts, minutes, committee papers, petitions and memorials, the loan of instruments, publications and the payment of staff. These are followed by a wide range of papers relating to the Board's work, concerning clocks, chronometers and other instruments; longitude and latitude; magnetic variation; schemes and inventions; tables; pendulum...
Dates:
1779 - 1826
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
Notes on Maskelyne's account book, 1934
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 16/55
Scope and Contents
Undated notes by H.W.P. Richards on the entries in Nevil Maskelyne's account book for 1767-1816 relating to payments for the computations for the 'Nautical Almanac'.
Dates:
1934
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
Notes on the discovery of Mr Harrison's time-keeper, 1765
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 4/152: 4-7
Scope and Contents
Prose notes describing the workings of the time-keeper, with comments on making adjustments to it and on its accuracy.
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
Notes on the errors of Earnshaw's timekeepers, 1796-01 - 1797-01
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/25: 346-348
Scope and Contents
From the Series:
The first part of collection is comprised of papers concerning the internal affairs of the Board of Longitude, including the granting of awards, accounts, minutes, committee papers, petitions and memorials, the loan of instruments, publications and the payment of staff. These are followed by a wide range of papers relating to the Board's work, concerning clocks, chronometers and other instruments; longitude and latitude; magnetic variation; schemes and inventions; tables; pendulum...
Dates:
1796-01 - 1797-01
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
Notes taken at the discovery of Mr Harrison's time-keeper, 1765
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 4/152
Scope and Contents
Observations on the workings of John Harrison's time-keeper, in two parts.
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).
File
Observations, 1758 - 1764
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 4/1
Scope and Contents
A rough copy of observations of major stars made in 1758 and on a voyage of 1764. The volume includes adjustments to the barometer and atmospheric conditions, 1758; calculations of star positions; the longitude of various foreign towns; corrections to the sextant and quadrant; and calculations to discover longitude.
Dates:
1758 - 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
Observations of the solar eclipse of 1802, 1802-03-04
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/68: 80-81
Scope and Contents
Taken off the south coast of Australia and probably connected with Flinders' voyage.
Dates:
1802-03-04
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
Papers of Nevil Maskelyne, 1706 - 1843
Series
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 4
Scope and Contents
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:
1706 - 1843
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
Papers on comets, 1723 - 1759
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 3/43/6
Scope and Contents
Papers on comets and other subjects.1. 'Observations upon the Comets that appeared in the months of September and October 1757', with reference to unnamed stars and observational technique, including an acknowledgement to Dr Smith's three volumes on optics.2. Observations to ascertain the 1757 comet's right ascension, its position relative to the Earth and other stars, and its declination, with attendant calculations.3. Table of observations of the 1759...
Dates:
1723 - 1759
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
Papers on Government superintendence, 1855 - 1860
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 6/4
Scope and Contents
Note on the history of Hardy's Clock, with a few words from J. Henry, 1854.Extract from 'Notes and Queries' about the publication of John Flamsteed's 'Historia Coelestis', 1856, and a letter to Airy regarding Flamsteed's works.List of assistants of Dr Nevil Maskelyne, sent to U.J.J. Le Verrier, 1858.Correspondence with Dr P.M. Roget, 1859, concerning the missing Minutes of the Board of Visitors preceding 1830.Extracts from 'Notes and Queries', 1860, relating...
Dates:
1855 - 1860
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
Papers on Government superintendence, 1861 - 1869
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 6/5
Scope and Contents
Correspondence relating to the missing volume of minutes of the Board of Visitors for the years 1784 to 1830. There is also correspondence on the extraction of minutes relating to the Royal Observatory from the Council Minutes of the Royal Society. The letters date from 1861.Letter and notes on the burial place of John Flamsteed, 1863.Note by J. Carpenter concerning the 'Old Equatorial', 1864.Memorandum concerning the supposed location of James Bradley and Nevil...
Dates:
1861 - 1869
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
Papers on Government superintendence, 1873 - 1875
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 6/7
Scope and Contents
Notes on John Flamsteed intended to serve for a history of the Royal Observatory, comprised of an extract from the parish register of Burstow, Surrey.Notes on Edmond Halley intended to serve for a history of the Royal Observatory, comprised of a biography by F.W. Simms, an extract from 'The Weekly Visitor', and a copy of the inscription on his gravestone.Notes by F.W. Simms on Halley's Comet intended to serve for a history of the Royal Observatory.Notes by Airy on...
Dates:
1873 - 1875
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
Papers on the loan and return of property, 1875 - 1927
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 7/69
Scope and Contents
Correspondence and other papers regarding the loan and return of property belonging to the Royal Observatory:Correspondence concerning the loan and return of Observatory instruments, both to institutions and to private individuals such as E. Knobel, Sir George Airy, Captain Abney and others, 1875.Correspondence concerning the photographs sent by the Astronomer Royal to the Potsdam Photographic Exhibition, 1886.Correspondence concerning the loan to Captain W.J....
Dates:
1875 - 1927
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
Papers on the Observatory's history, 1862 - 1909
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 7/1
Scope and Contents
Correspondence and other papers relating to different aspects of the history of the Royal Observatory:Copy of John Flamsteed's will.Copy of Edmond Halley's will.Correspondence from F. Streatfield asking for a list of Astronomers Royals and other information, and a letter from W.S. Granville Richards asking for any information about T. Taylor in the Royal Observatory records, 1878.Correspondence with Captain S.P. Oliver on the subject of Halley's monument,...
Dates:
1862 - 1909
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
Papers regarding the imprest money of Nevil Maskelyne and others, 1782 - 1811
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/2: 211-237
Scope and Contents
From the File:
Includes information regarding salaries of members and imprest monies, financial reports and correspondence with the Admiralty.
Dates:
1782 - 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
Papers relating to Christopher Buckton, printer, and his bankruptcy, 1794 - 1799
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/15: 48-62
Scope and Contents
From the File:
The accounts of printers and publishers for Board of Longitude publications, with related papers.
Dates:
1794 - 1799
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
Photographs and Photocopies, 1934 - 2000
Series
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 35
Scope and Contents
Photographs, photocopies, photostats and microfilms of a wide range of papers relating to the Royal Observatory or to individuals or subjects connected to it. The majority of the material relates to Nevil Maskelyne. This includes a large set of Maskelyne's correspondence (RGO 35/3-96), including letters he received from French correspondents; correspondence of family members, including his brother, Captain Edmund Maskelyne, and his daughter, Margaret Maskelyne; and letters he sent to...
Dates:
1934 - 2000
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
Positions of places in the East Indies, 1797 - 1805
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 4/109
Scope and Contents
List of longitudes and latitudes of places in the East Indies calculated by Peter Heywood for the Board of Longitude. There is also a covering letter to Maskelyne, 21 November 1804.
Dates:
1797 - 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
Printed invitation from George Gilpin, 1793-11-18
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 4/187/17: 1-2
Scope and Contents
The invitation is a request to attend a Royal Society meeting on 21 November 1793. It is covered with various calculations.
Dates:
1793-11-18
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
Printed invitation from George Gilpin, 1797-04-03
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 4/187/27: 1
Scope and Contents
The invitation gives notice of a Royal Society meeting on 6 April 1797. It is covered with various calculations.
Dates:
1797-04-03
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
Printed invitation from George Gilpin, 1797-05-08
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 4/187/28: 1-2
Scope and Contents
The invitation gives notice of a Royal Society meeting on 11 May 1797. It is covered with various calculations.
Dates:
1797-05-08
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
Printed invitation from George Gilpin, 1798-03-12
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 4/187/29: 1-2
Scope and Contents
The invitation gives notice of a Royal Society meeting on 15 March 1798. It is covered with various calculations.
Dates:
1798-03-12
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
Proposal from George Douglas, 1795-05-08
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/36: 153-154
Scope and Contents
Marked by Maskelyne as unworthy of the Board's attention.
Dates:
1795-05-08
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
Proposal from Nicholas May, 1784
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/34: 34-42
Scope and Contents
On finding the longitude by the rising or setting of the sun with the moon near the meridian; with an annotation by Nevil Maskelyne.
Dates:
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).
Item
Questions asked of Mr Arnold relative to his specification of his father's timekeeper, 1805-07-08
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 14/25: 265-270
Scope and Contents
With Arnold's answers.
Dates:
1805-07-08
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).
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