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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Correspondence Explorer

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Showing 29 letters from 1673–1677

29 letters from Antoni van Leeuwenhoek; 0 letters from Henry Oldenburg

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Signed autograph Sends figures of the anatomy of the bee and gives an account of its sting; an account of the structure and growth of wood and the motions of fluids in wood; concerning the food and digestion of a louse; about the compression of air (with figures of tubes in the margins). For summary see 'The correspondence of Henry Oldenburg', ed and trans by A Rupert Hall & Marie Boas Hall, vol 10, p 114 Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, part 1, p 40 English translation of Leeuwenhoek's letter on the compression of air printed in 'Philosophical Transactions', vol 9, no 102, p 21

15 August 1673 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/1
1674

Signed autograph Observations of the structure of human blood and the milk of cows, of the structure of human hair and elk's hair, of the fat and flesh of various living creatures, and the anatomy of the louse For summary see 'The correspondence of Henry Oldenburg', ed and trans by A Rupert Hall & Marie Boas Hall, vol 10, p 547 Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, part 1, p 72 English extract printed in 'Philosophical Transactions', vol 9, no 102, p 23

07 April 1674 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/2

Signed autograph Concerning the delivery of letters and asking Oldenburg to befriend van Conincxbrugh For summary see 'The correspondence of Henry Oldenburg', ed and trans by A Rupert Hall & Marie Boas Hall, vol 10, p 562 Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, part 1, p 78

16 April 1674 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/3

Signed autograph Observations about the structure and nature of blood, and the growth of skin and of plants Further theories about the motion of liquid in tubes and the globular form of fluid bodies The microscopical observations of the structure of bone, teeth, liver, and brain Technique for examining the cerebral texture, spinal marrow and muscular tissue Concerning the growth of the epidermis Figures of capillary tubes in margin. A small envelope containing three original small packets was attached to the last sheet and is now stored separately. The packets contained specimens: of cork; of pith of elder; and the white of a quill. The original packets contain >70% of the original material, in 1981 Brian Ford separated two portions of the samples, a first portion was placed in separate packets, kept in an envelope; a second portion of the samples were sputtered in gold and are kept in a separate container. For summary see 'The correspondence of Henry Oldenburg', ed and trans by A Rupert Hall & Marie Boas Hall, vol 11, p 23 Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, part 1, p 90 See 'The van Leeuwenhoek specimens' by Brian Ford in 'Notes and Records', vol 36, no 1, pp 37-59 at p 46 for further information

01 June 1674 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/4

Copy by Leeuwenhoek Observations of human and horse sweat, structure of human and animal hair, the motion of blood in narrow glass-pipes; concerning the structure of fat in cows, sheep and fish Figures of glass-pipe in the margin For summary see 'The correspondence of Henry Oldenburg', ed and trans by A Rupert Hall & Marie Boas Hall, vol 11, p 38 Printed in 'Philosophical Transactions', vol 9, no 106, p 128 Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, part 1, p 116

06 July 1674 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/5

Signed autograph States that he will send further observations (see EL/L1/7) For summary see 'The correspondence of Henry Oldenburg', ed and trans by A Rupert Hall & Marie Boas Hall, vol 11, p 72 Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, part 1, p 132

07 September 1674 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/6

Signed autograph An account of the anatomy of the eye and optic nerve of a cow, the appearance of various minerals eg. salt, clay, English and Flemish earth, and about protozoa in stagnant water For summary see 'The correspondence of Henry Oldenburg', ed and trans by A Rupert Hall & Marie Boas Hall, vol 11, p 72 Printed in 'Philosophical Transactions', vol 9, no 108, p 178 Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, part 1, p 136 B&W negativeof part only, Richard Valencia, Box N101, IM/005315

07 September 1674 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/7

Signed autograph An account of the bile of cow, sheep, rabbits and poultry; microscopic observations of the structure of metals; structure of skin; structure of the bladder; theories for the sense of taste For summary see 'The correspondence of Henry Oldenburg', ed and trans by A Rupert Hall & Marie Boas Hall, vol 11, p 104 Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, part 1, p 168

19 October 1674 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/8

Signed autograph Observations of the colour of the iris of the eye; the anatomy of the optic nerve; comments about English criticisms of his observations of the brain Figure of the transverse section of an optic nerve of a cow is attached. Specimen of the optic nerve was attached to the letter in an original packet. The original packet and samples are now stored separately in an envelope. The packet is mounted and the samples of transversal cuts of optic nerve are separate in tissue paper. The envelope contain >70% of the original material, in 1981 Brian Ford separated two portions of the samples, a first portion was placed in separate packets, kept in an envelope; a second portion of the samples were sputtered in gold and are kept in a separate container. For summary see 'The correspondence of Henry Oldenburg', ed and trans by A Rupert Hall & Marie Boas Hall, vol 11, p 134 Partial translation in 'Philosophical Transactions', vol 10, no 117, p 378 Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, part 1, p 188 'The van Leeuwenhoek specimens' by Brian Ford in 'Notes and Records', vol 36, no 1, pp 37-59

04 December 1674 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/9
1675

Signed autograph Stating that there was a new method for distinguishing blood-corpuscles; new method for examining brain tissue; optic nerve was re-examined lengthwise; observations of tobacco and tobacco-smoke; observations of experiments with saltpetre and gunpowder; concerning the sting of scorpions and their poison Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, part 1, p 208 For summary see 'The correspondence of Henry Oldenburg', ed and trans by A Rupert Hall & Marie Boas Hall, vol 11, p 158

22 January 1675 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/10

Signed autograph Observations of the crystallisation of salts and infusions; observations of vinegar, Spanish soap and common soap, aqua fortis (nitric acid and sulphuric acid), pepper, mustard; observations of the globules in the bile of different species of fish; further observations of the optic nerve of cod and cows; observations of cod's roe; objections to Francis Redi's figure of a louse Figures of the crystallisation of salts attached. Other diagrams mentioned in the letter are not attached. Partial translation see EL/L1/12 Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, part 1, p 230 For summary see 'The correspondence of Henry Oldenburg', ed and trans by A Rupert Hall & Marie Boas Hall, vol 11, p 175

11 February 1675 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/11

Observations of the crystallisation of salts and infusions - from Letter EL/L1/11 An account of digestion in humans - from Letter EL/L1/15 Translation by Oldenburg

01 January 1675 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/12

Signed autograph Observations of marrowfats, peas, runners; structure of venous blood from a pregnant woman; explains the transparency in objects; an account of the circulation in leaves and compares it to veins in humans; explains his drawing of a louse's leg Figure of a louse's leg, the vein of an oak leaf and an ink impression of oak leaves Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, part 1, p 277 For summary see 'The correspondence of Henry Oldenburg', ed and trans by A Rupert Hall & Marie Boas Hall, vol 11, p 232 B&W photograph of four pages and two drawings, Box 2, IM/005316

26 March 1675 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/13

Signed autograph Further observations of blood corpuscles; observations of arum leaves; concerning the sap in plants and its taste; concerning the sense of taste in regard to sugar and salt; concerning manna (from the bark of 'Fraxinus ornus') and its laxative effects; an account of digestion in humans and the effects of poison Partial translation of the account of digestion in humans see EL/L1/12 Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, part 1, p 296 For summary see 'The correspondence of Henry Oldenburg', ed and trans by A Rupert Hall & Marie Boas Hall, vol 11, p 443 English extract printed in 'Philosophical Transactions', vol 10, no 117, p 380

14 August 1675 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/15

Signed autograph Notifying the Royal Society about an error in experiments of evapourating vegetable infusions (EL/L1/11); observations of wine-vinegar; concerning Leeuwenhoek's invention of an areometer, although he saw that Robert Boyle had constructed a similar glass in an article in 'Philosophical Transactions' (volume 10, page 340) Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, part 1, p 328 For summary see 'The correspondence of Henry Oldenburg', ed and trans by A Rupert Hall & Marie Boas Hall, vol 12, p 87

20 December 1675 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/16
1676

Signed autograph Wishes certain volumes of 'Philosophical Transactions' be forwarded to him and promises to send on his account of living creatures found in rain water Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, part 1, p 340 For summary see 'The correspondence of Henry Oldenburg', ed and trans by A Rupert Hall & Marie Boas Hall, vol 12, p 134

22 January 1676 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/16a

Signed autograph An account of the structure of hair and how it grows; theory about curly hair; observations of the structure of cow's skin; observations of the membranes of eggs Ink figure of Leeuwenhoek' s facial hair after shaving See EL/L4/29 for information about rasors for shaving Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, part 1, p 348 For summary see 'The correspondence of Henry Oldenburg', ed and trans by A Rupert Hall & Marie Boas Hall, vol 12, p 192

22 February 1676 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/17

Signed autograph Observations of the vessels of wood with reference of Dr Grew's book on this subject; concerning eel-like creatures found in French wine; concerning the taste of cinnamon Four pencil figures - three drawings of the transverse section of ash wood and one of an eel-like animal found in wine (can be found after EL/L1/19) Partial translation by Oldenburg see EL/L1/19 Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, vol 2, p 3 For summary see 'The correspondence of Henry Oldenburg', ed and trans by A Rupert Hall & Marie Boas Hall, vol 12, p 247 English extract printed in 'Philosophical Transactions', vol 11, no 127, p 653

21 April 1676 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/18

Clarifying observations about the structure of wood, which Dr Grew questioned; further account of the vessels, fibres, and medullary rays of wood Partial translation see EL/L1/21 Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, vol 2, p 23 For summary see 'The correspondence of Henry Oldenburg', ed and trans by A Rupert Hall & Marie Boas Hall, vol 12, p 301

29 May 1676 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/20

Clarifying observations about the structure of wood which Dr Grew questioned Translation by Oldenburg Original see EL/L1/20

01 January 1676 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/21

Signed autograph Discovery of five different 'animalcules' (micro-organisms - one possibly bacteria) in pepper-infused water and carries out experiments with rain-, well-, moat-, sea-, and river-water, and infusions of various spices; an account of the structure of a peppercorn, wheat, ginger; whether or not there are organisms in the air Four figures in the margin (particles of pepper grain and in ginger-water) Partial translation by Oldenburg see EL/L1/23 Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, vol 2, p 61 For summary see 'The correspondence of Henry Oldenburg', ed and trans by A Rupert Hall & Marie Boas Hall, vol 13, p 82 Partial translation printed in 'Philosophical Transactions', vol 12, no 133, p 821 B&W negative, first page only, Box N101. IM/005317

09 October 1676 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/22

Discovery of organisms in rain-, well-, moat-, sea-, and river-water, and in infusions of various spices Original see EL/L1/22 Partial translation printed in 'Philosophical Transactions', vol 12, no 133, p 821

01 January 1676 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/23

Signed autograph States that he was pleased with Dr Grew's remarks, although he could not understand them, and when he gets the letter translated he will reply Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, vol 2, p 163 For summary see 'The correspondence of Henry Oldenburg', ed and trans by A Rupert Hall & Marie Boas Hall, vol 13, p 111

30 October 1676 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/24
1677

Signed autograph The methodology for calculating the number of living organisms in a drop of water States that he sends a Latin translation of his letter (see EL/L1/26) Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, vol 2, p 197 For summary see 'The correspondence of Henry Oldenburg', ed and trans by A Rupert Hall & Marie Boas Hall, vol 13, p 223 English extract printed in 'Philosophical Transactions', vol 12, no 134, p 844

23 March 1677 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/25

The methodology for calculating the number of living organisms in a drop of water. Translation of EL/L1/25.

01 January 1677 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/26

Signed autograph Investigating the structure of muscular tissue, the brain and spinal cord; investigating haemolysis (loss of haemoglobin from the red blood-cells); observations of vascular bundles in fruits and seeds; observations of the effects of moxa, the Chinese remedy against gout; observations of cotton, in particular, its usefulness for bandaging Partial translation see EL/L1/28 Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, vol 2, p 209 For summary see 'The correspondence of Henry Oldenburg', ed and trans by A Rupert Hall & Marie Boas Hall, vol 13, p 278 Partial translation printed in 'Philosophical Transactions', vol 12, no 136, p 899

14 May 1677 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/27

Investigating the structure of muscular tissue, the brain and spinal cord; observations of the effects of moxa, the Chinese remedy against gout; observations of cotton, in particular, its usefulness for bandaging Original see EL/L1/27 Partial translation printed in 'Philosophical Transactions', vol 12, no 136, p 899

01 January 1677 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/28

Signed autograph Theory for the existence of different skin colours; observations of the reproduction of eels and their blood; observations of the reproduction of lice; compares the larvae of fleas with silk-worms; discusses Mr Swammerdam's views on fleas; demonstrating a grain of millet as a measure of capacity and states that he sends 8 testimonials about this (inserted after EL/L1/30); numbers of organisms living in a drop of water Testimonials from Benedict Haan, Henry Cordes, R Gordon, J Boogert, Robert Poitevin, WV Burch, Albert Hodenpijl, Alex Petrie (in Latin, Dutch and English) as witnesses to Leeuwenhoek's demonstrations Translation of letter in Latin see EL/L1/30 Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, vol 2, p 237 For summary see 'The correspondence of Henry Oldenburg', ed and trans by A Rupert Hall & Marie Boas Hall, vol 13, p 348

05 October 1677 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/29

Theory for the existence of different skin colours; observations of the reproduction of eels and their blood; observations of the reproduction of lice; compares the larvae of fleas with silk-worms; discusses Mr Swammerdam's views on fleas; demonstrating a grain of millet as a measure of capacity and states that he sends 8 testimonials about this (these have ref code EL/L1/29 and are found after this letter); numbers of organisms living in a drop of water Translation of EL/L1/29

01 January 1677 Sender: Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Reference number: EL/L1/30