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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Unpublished letters, 'The theory of vision' from W F [William Ford] Stevenson to Samuel Hunter Christie

Reference number: AP/27/24

Date: March-April 1845

Description

Three letters, dated 1 March 1845, 15 March 1845 and 3 April 1845, in which Stevenson presents a theory on vision. In the first letter, he lays out his theory that objects are not presented to the mind as they are found upon the retina, but in the actual position in which are are placed before the spectator. In the second letter, Stevenson reflects on the doctrine that 'we arrive at a correct vision only by education'. In the third letter, Stevenson asserts his confidence in his theory of vision, and asks Christie to acknowledge receipt of his letters and present them before the Royal Society.

Subject: Vision / Optometry

Written by Stevenson at Hôtel Meurice, Paris.

Reference number
AP/27/24
Earliest possible date
March-April 1845
Physical description
Ink on paper
Page extent
9 pages
Format
Manuscript

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Citation

Unpublished letters, 'The theory of vision' from W F [William Ford] Stevenson to Samuel Hunter Christie, March-April 1845, AP/27/24, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/ap_27_24/unpublished-letters-the-theory-of-vision-from-w-f-william-ford-stevenson-to-samuel-hunter-christie, accessed on 24 January 2025

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https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/ap_27_24/unpublished-letters-the-theory-of-vision-from-w-f-william-ford-stevenson-to-samuel-hunter-christie

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  • Archived Papers

    Dates: 1768-1989

    The 'Archived Papers' collection is comprised of original manuscript scientific papers and letters submitted to the Royal Society which remained unpublished or were abstracted in the journal 'Proceedings of the Royal Society' published from 1830 onwards.

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