APS Members Bibliography

Nevil Maskelyne (317)

Election date: 1771

Nevil Maskelyne (5 October 1732–9 February 1811) was an astronomer, and mathematician, and a member of the American Philosophical Society, elected in 1771. Born in London, the son of a well-connected clerk, Maskelyne was educated in Westminster where he decided to pursue astronomy. He attended the University of Cambridge, graduating with a B.A. in 1754. To qualify for an advantageous fellowship, he took Holy Orders a year later, and became a fellow of the Trinity. He graduated with his M.A., and earned election to his major fellowship the following year. In 1758 he became a fellow of the Royal Society, who assigned him to St. Helena, an island in the South Atlantic, to observe the transit of Venus in 1760. While traveling, Maskelyne began studying the lunar-distance method of measuring longitude for nautical navigation. On St. Helena, he found little success due to cloudy weather, but he continued studying the lunar-distance method on his return trip and published his findings in 1763. Impressed by his work, the Board of Longitude tasked Maskelyne with testing the accuracy of the H4 chronometer by using his method to measure the longitude of Barbados. He returned to England to find a royal warrant appointing him director of the Greenwich observatory. As director, Maskelyne implemented the yearly publishing of a nautical almanac. As per order of the King, he resided at the observatory and focused on astronomical observations: making some 90,000 in his lifetime and publishing findings every decade. He also contributed to the far more successful 1769 transit of Venus observations. In 1774, he attempted to measure the density of the Earth on behalf of the Royal Society and won its Copley Medal for his findings. He received honors from institutions all over the world, including those in Hanover, Russia, Poland, France, and Massachusetts. He worked tirelessly at the observatory until falling ill and dying there. (DNB)

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Researchers should note: we do not below cover Maskelyne's essential Nautical Almanac as we by design cover no (or few) almanacs; the only full series of the Nautical Almanac extant in physical form in North America (of which we are aware) is at the Gillis Library of the United States Naval Observatory, which is open to the public by appointment.

Member(s): Jeremiah Dixon | Member(s): Charles Mason | Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

151.001

Observations for determining the length of a degree of latitude in the provinces of Maryland and Pennsylvania, in North America.

Creator(s):

Dixon, Jeremiah (Author) | Mason, Charles, 1728-1786 (Author) | Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (Contributor)

Publication:

[London: Lockyer Davis and Charles Reymers], [1769]

Subjects:

Latitude.

Record Source:

LCP

APS Subjects:

Astronomy | Science | Surveying

Editions:

1x 1769

Editions Note:

One edition. A separate printing of a piece originally published in the Royal Society's Philosophical Transactions.

Holding Note: APS does not own this text. Help the APS acquire this item.

Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.001

Account of a new instrument for measuring small angles, called the prismatic micrometer.

Creator(s):

Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (Author)

Publication:

London: Printed by J. Nichols (successor to Mr. Bowyer), 1778.

Subjects:

Micrometers (Instruments)

Record Source:

APS

Editions:

1x 1778 (London)

Editions Note:

One edition. Originally read at the Royal society, December 18, 1777.

Holding Note: Read at the Royal society, December 18, 1777. Presented by the author, Nov.5, 1790. View Holding

Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.002

An account of observations made on the mountain Schehallien for finding its attraction.

Creator(s):

Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (Author)

Publication:

London: [s.n.], [1776]

Subjects:

Astronomy -- Tables -- Early works to 1800.

Record Source:

ESTC

Editions:

1x 1776 (London)

Editions Note:

One edition. A lecture read to the Royal Society on July 6, 1775, printed by William Bowyer and John Nichols.

Holding Note: APS does not own this text. Help the APS acquire this item.

Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.003

An account of the going of Mr. John Harrison's watch, at the Royal Observatory, from May 6th, 1766, to March 4th, 1767 : together with the original observation and calcultions of the same.

Creator(s):

Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (Author)

Publication:

London: Printed by W. Richardson and S. Clark : and sold by John Nourse, and Mess. Mount and Page, [1767]

Subjects:

Longitude -- Early works to 1800. | Chronometers -- Early works to 1800.

Record Source:

ESTC

Editions:

1x 1767 (London)

Editions Note:

One edition.

Holding Note: APS does not own this text. Help the APS acquire this item.

Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.004

Advertisement of the expected return of the comet of 1532 and 1661 in the year 1788.

Creator(s):

Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (Author)

Publication:

London: printed by J. Nichols, [1786]

Subjects:

Comets -- Early works to 1800.

Record Source:

ESTC

Editions:

1x 1786 (London), 1x 1787 (Madrid)

Editions Note:

Likely two editions: one in London in 1786 and one in Madrid in 1787.

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Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.005

An answer to a pamphlet entitled "A narrative of facts," lately published by Mr. Thomas Mudge, junior, relating to some time-keepers constructed by his father Mr. Thomas Mudge : wherein is given an account of the trial of his first time-keeper, and of the three trials of his two other time-keepers, between the years 1774 and 1790, by order of the Board of Longitude, at the Royal Observatory : and also the conduct of the Astronomer Royal, and the Resolutions of the Board of Longitude, respecting them, are Vindicated from Mr. Mudge's misrepresentations.

Creator(s):

Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (Author)

Publication:

London: printed for F. Wingrave, successor to Mr. Nourse, in the Strand, [1792]

Subjects:

Clocks and watches. | Longitude.

Record Source:

ESTC

Editions:

1x 1792 (London)

Editions Note:

One edition.

Holding Note: APS holds one copy, inscribed: From the author. View Holding

Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.006

Astronomical and magnetical and meteorological observations.

Creator(s):

Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (Author)

Publication:

London: [s.n.], <1765-1951>

Subjects:

Record Source:

APS

Editions:

1x <1765-1951> (London)

Editions Note:

Early vols. by Nevil Maskelyne.
Volumes prior to 1848 have title Astronomical observations.
For Observations made from 1750 to 1762 see its: Astronomical observations made from the year 1750 to the year 1762 by ... James Bradley - Vol.1-2, 1798-1805 - Microfilm No.238.
Beginning with 1939, Results of the magnetic and meteorological observations are published separately. See: 522.1942: G85sm.

Holding Note: APS holds one copy. Of note is that Vol. 1765-1769 presented by Nevil Maskelyne through B. Franklin, cf. Early Minutes, Dec. 17, 1774. View Holding

Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.007

Astronomical observations made at the island of Barbados : at Willoughby Fort : and at the Observatory on Constitution Hill, both adjoining to Bridge Town.

Creator(s):

Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (Author)

Publication:

London: [s.n.], [1765]

Subjects:

Astronomy -- Early works to 1800.

Record Source:

ESTC

References:

Sabin 45420

Editions:

1x 1765 (London)

Editions Note:

One edition, printed by William Bowyer. A lecture read to the Royal Society on Dec. 20, 1764.

Holding Note: APS does not own this text. Help the APS acquire this item.

Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.008

Astronomical observations made at the island of St. Helena.

Creator(s):

Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (Author)

Publication:

London: [s.n.], [1765]

Subjects:

Astronomy -- Observations -- Early works to 1800.

Record Source:

ESTC

Editions:

1x 1765 (London)

Editions Note:

One edition, printed by William Bowyer. A lecture read to the Royal Society, Dec. 20, 1764, and Jan. 24, 1765. Initial observations appeared in vol. 52 of the Philosophical Transactions, but this represents a work in whole.

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Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.009

Astronomical observations made at the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, in the years 1765, 1766, 1767, 1768, and 1769 : by the Reverend Nevil Maskelyne, B.D. Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, and of the Royal Society, and Astronomer Royal : published by the President and Council of the Royal Society, at the public expence, in obedience to His Majesty's Command.

Creator(s):

Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (Author)

Publication:

London: Printed by W. and J. Richardson; and sold by J. Nourse, bookseller to His Majesty, [1774]

Subjects:

Astronomy -- Observations -- Early works to 1800.

Record Source:

ESTC

Editions:

1x 1774 (London), 1x 1776 (London), 1x 1811 (London)

Editions Note:

At least three editions: one in 1774 (London), one in 1776 (London), one in 1811 (London).
These observations were more or less the core bases of later discoveries in the devlopment of Greenwich Mean Time.
Includes: 'Observed distances of the fixed stars ..', with separate pagination, and 'Tables for computing the apparent places of the fixt stars, ..' with a separate titlepage and pagination.

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Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.010

Astronomical problems.

Creator(s):

Lyons, Israel, 1739-1775 (Author) | Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 ()

Publication:

[London]: [Printed by W. and J. Richardson], 1776.

Subjects:

Spherical astronomy -- Early works to 1800. | Astronomie sphérique -- Ouvrages avant 1800. | Spherical astronomy.

Record Source:

Editions:

1x 1776 ([London]), 1x 1779 ([London])

Editions Note:

Two editions, both in London: one in 1776 and one in 1779.

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Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.011

An attempt to explain a difficulty in the theory of vision, depending on the different refrangibility of light.

Creator(s):

Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (Author)

Publication:

[London], [1790?]

Record Source:

ESTC

Editions:

1x 1790 (London)

Editions Note:

One edition. "Read at the Royal society June 18, 1789. From the Philosophical transactions."

Holding Note: APS holds one copy, presented by the author, Nov. 5, 1790. View Holding

Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.012

An authentic narrative of the dissensions and debates in the Royal Society : containing the speeches at large of Dr. Horsley, Dr. Maskelyne, Mr. Maseres, Mr. Poore, Mr. Glenis, Mr. Watson and Mr. Maty.

Creator(s):

Publication:

London: printed for J. Debrett and sold by R. Baldwin and J. Bew, and J. Sewell, 1784.

Subjects:

Record Source:

Editions:

1x 1784 (London)

Editions Note:

One edition.

Holding Note: APS does not own this text. Help the APS acquire this item.

Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.013

The British mariner's guide : containing, complete and easy instructions for the discovery of the longitude at sea and land, within a degree, by observations of the distance of the moon from the sun and stars, taken with Hadley's Quadrant : to which are added, an appendix, containing a variety of interesting rules and directions, tending to the improvement of practical navigation in general : and a sett of correct astronomical tables : by Nevil Maskelyne, A. M. Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, and of the Royal Society.

Creator(s):

Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (Author)

Publication:

London: printed for the author : and sold by J. Nourse, in the Strand : Mess. Mount and Page, on Tower-Hill : and Mess. Hawes, Clarke, and Collins, in Pater-Noster-Row, [1763]

Subjects:

Navigation -- Early works to 1800. | Nautical astronomy.

Record Source:

ESTC

Editions:

1x 1763 (London)

Editions Note:

One edition.

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Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.014

Concerning the latitude and longitude of the Royal Observatory at Greenwich : with remarks on a memorial of the late M. Cassini de Thury.

Creator(s):

Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (Author)

Publication:

London: printed by J. Nichols, 1787.

Record Source:

ESTC

Editions:

1x 1787 (London)

Editions Note:

One edition. "Read at the Royal society, Feb. 22, 1787."

Holding Note: APS holds one copy. View Holding

Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.015

Concise rules for computing the effects of refraction and parallax in varying the apparent distance of the moon from the sun or a star : also an easy rule of approximation for computing the distance of the moon from a star, the longitudes and latitudes of both being given, with demonstrations of the same.

Creator(s):

Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (Author)

Publication:

London: [s.n.], [1765]

Subjects:

Longitude -- Early works to 1800.

Record Source:

ESTC

Editions:

1x 1765 (London)

Editions Note:

One edition. Printed by William Bowyer. A lecture read to the Royal Society on Nov. 15, 1764.

Holding Note: APS does not own this text. Help the APS acquire this item.

Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.016

Instructions relative to the observation of the ensuing transit of the planet Venus over the sun's disk, on the 3d of June 1769.

Creator(s):

Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (Author)

Publication:

London: printed by W. Richardson and S. Clark, [1768]

Subjects:

Venus (Planet) -- Transit -- 1769.

Record Source:

ESTC

Editions:

1x 1768 (London)

Editions Note:

One edition.

Holding Note: APS holds one copy. View Holding

Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.017

M. de Luc's rule for measuring heights by the barometer, reduced to the English measure of length, and adapted to Fahrenheit's thermometer, and other scales of heat, and reduced to a more convenient expression.

Creator(s):

Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (Author)

Publication:

London: printed by W. Bowyer and J. Nichols, [1774]

Subjects:

Barometric hypsometry -- Early works to 1800. | Barometers -- Early works to 1800.

Record Source:

ESTC

Editions:

1x 1774 (London)

Editions Note:

One edition. A lecture read to the Royal Society on Jan. 13, 1774.

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Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.018

Observations of the transit of Venus over the sun, and the eclipse of the sun, on June III, MDCCLXIX : made at the Royal Observatory: by the Rev. Nevil Maskelyne, B. D. F. R. S. and Astronomer Royal.

Creator(s):

Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (Author)

Publication:

London: printed by W. Bowyer and J. Nichols, [1769]

Subjects:

Venus (Planet) -- Transit -- 1769.

Record Source:

ESTC

Editions:

1x 1769 (London)

Editions Note:

One edition.

Holding Note: APS does not own this text. Help the APS acquire this item.

Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.019

The original observations of the going of the watch from day to day.

Creator(s):

Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (Author)

Publication:

[London: s.n.], 1767.

Subjects:

Geodesy -- Observations -- Early works to 1800. | Geodetic astronomy -- Early works to 1800.

Record Source:

ESTC

Editions:

1x 1767 ([London])

Editions Note:

One edition.

Holding Note: APS does not own this text. Help the APS acquire this item.

Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.020

A plan for observing the meteors called fire-balls.

Creator(s):

Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (Author)

Publication:

[London: s.n.], 1783.

Subjects:

Meteors -- Great Britain -- Early works to 1800.

Record Source:

ESTC

Editions:

1x 1783 ([London])

Editions Note:

One edition.

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Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.021

The principles of Mr. Harrison's time-keeper.

Creator(s):

Harrison, John, 1693-1776 (Author)

Publication:

London: printed by W. Richardson and S. Clark : and sold by J. Nourse, and Messrs. Mount and Page, 1767.

Subjects:

Clocks and watches. | Longitude.

Record Source:

LCP

Editions:

1x 1767 (London)

Editions Note:

One edition.

Holding Note: APS does not own this text. Help the APS acquire this item.

Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.022

A proposal for measuring the attraction of some hill in this kingdom by astronomical observations.

Creator(s):

Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (Author)

Publication:

London: [s.n.], [1776]

Subjects:

Astronomical instruments -- Early works to 1800.

Record Source:

ESTC

Editions:

1x 1776 (London)

Editions Note:

One edition. "A lecture read to the Royal Society in 1772. Printed by William Bowyer and John Nichols."

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Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.023

Remarks on the Hadley's quadrant, tending principally to remove the difficulties which have hitherto attended the use of the back-observation.

Creator(s):

Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (Author)

Publication:

London: printed by W. Bowyer and J. Nichols, 1772.

Record Source:

LCP

Editions:

1x 1772 (London)

Editions Note:

One edition. "A lecture read to the Royal Society on May 28, 1772."

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Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.024

Six discourses : delivered ... when president of the Royal society : on occasion of six annual assignments of Sir Godfrey Copley's medal [to the following recipients : J. Priestley, 1773 : J. Walsh, 1774 : N. Maskelyne, 1775 : J. Cook, 1776 : J. Mudge, 1777 : C. Hutton, 1778], to which is prefixed the life of the author.

Creator(s):

Publication:

London: W. Strahan, 1783.

Subjects:

Research.

Record Source:

Editions:

1x 1783 (London)

Editions Note:

One edition.

Holding Note: APS does not own this text. Help the APS acquire this item.

Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.025

Some remarks upon the equation of time, and the true manner of computing it.

Creator(s):

Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (Author)

Publication:

London: [s.n.], [1765]

Subjects:

Navigation. | Time, Equation of. | Nautical astronomy.

Record Source:

ESTC

Editions:

1x 1765 (London)

Editions Note:

One edition. "A lecture read to the Royal Society on Dec. 13, 1764."

Holding Note: APS does not own this text. Help the APS acquire this item.

Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.026

Tables for computing the apparent places of the fixt stars, and reducing observations of the planets : by the Reverend Nevil Maskelyne, B.D. Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, and of the Royal Society, and astronomer royal : published by the president and council of the Royal Society, at the public expence.

Creator(s):

Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (Author)

Publication:

London: Printed by W. and J. Richardson; and sold by J. Nourse, bookseller to His Majesty, [1774]

Subjects:

Astronomy -- Tables -- Early works to 1800.

Record Source:

ESTC

Editions:

1x 1774 (London)

Editions Note:

One edition.

Holding Note: APS holds one copy. View Holding

Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.027

Tables of logarithms of all numbers from 1 to 101000 : and of the sines and tangents to every second of the quadrant.

Creator(s):

Taylor, Michael, 1756-1789 (Author) | Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (Author)

Publication:

London: printed by Christopher Buckton and sold by Francis Wingrave, 1792.

Subjects:

Logarithms -- Early works to 1800.

Record Source:

ESTC

Editions:

1x 1792 (London)

Editions Note:

One edition.

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Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.028

Tables requisite to be used with the astronomical and nautical ephemeris : published by order of the Commissioners of Longitude.

Creator(s):

Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (Author) | Great Britain. Commissioners of Longitude (Corporate Author)

Publication:

London: Printed by W. Richardson and S. Clark : and sold by J. Nourse, and Mess. Mount and Page, 1766.

Subjects:

Navigation -- Tables. | Nautical astronomy.

Record Source:

ESTC

Editions:

1x 1766 (London), 2x 1781 (London), 1x 1799 (London), 1x 1802 (London)

Editions Note:

At least five editions issued under Maskelyne's oversight as Astronomer Royal, all in London: one in 1766, two in 1781, one in 1799, and one in 1802.

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Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.029

Tables, for readily computing longitude, by the lunar observations : Partly new, and partly taken from the requisite tables of Dr. Maskelyne : with their application, in a variety of rules and examples : by William Croswell, A.M. teacher of navigation.

Creator(s):

Croswell, William, 1760-1834 (Author) | Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 (Contributor)

Publication:

[Boston]: Printed at Boston by I. Thomas and E.T. Andrews, Faust's Statue, no. 45, Newbury Street, [1791]

Subjects:

Longitude -- Tables -- Early works to 1800. | Longitude -- Tables. | Moon -- Tables. | Moon -- Tables -- Early works to 1800.

Record Source:

ESTC

References:

Evans 23300
| Rink, E. Technical Americana, 622

Editions:

1x 1791 ([Boston])

Editions Note:

One edition.

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Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.030

Tabulæ motuum solis et lunæ novæ et correctæ : auctore Tobia Mayer : quibus accedit methodus longitudinum promota, eodem auctore : editæ jussu Præfectorum Rei Longitudinariæ.

Creator(s):

Mayer, Tobias 1723-1762 (Author) | Maskelyne, Nevil 1732-1811 (Editor)

Publication:

Londini [London]: typis Gulielmi et Johannis Richardson : prostat venalis apud Johannem Nourse, Johannem Mount et Thomam Page, [1770]

Subjects:

Longitude. | Moon -- Tables. | Sun -- Tables.

Record Source:

ESTC

Editions:

1x 1770 (London)

Editions Note:

One edition.

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Member(s): Nevil Maskelyne

317.031

Tabulæ novæ et correctæ pro supputandis eclipsibus secundi satellitis Jovis.

Creator(s):

Wargentin, Pehr, 1717-1783 (Author) | Maskelyne, Nevil, 1732-1811 ()

Publication:

Londini [London]: Typis Gulielmi Richardson, 1776.

Subjects:

Record Source:

Editions:

1x 1776 (London)

Editions Note:

One edition.

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