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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Paper, 'Concerning the invention of telescopes' by J T [John Theophilus] Desaguliers

Reference number: CLP/2/18

Date: 1726

Description

Desaguliers provides information on the invention of the telescope based on his studies of the writings of [Benedictus] Arias Montanus, who writes of the use of telescopes in 1573. He also discusses various theories surrounding who truly invented the first telescope.

Subject: Scientific Instruments / Optics

Read to the Royal Society on 27 October 1726.

Reference number
CLP/2/18
Earliest possible date
1726
Physical description
Ink on paper
Page extent
2 pages
Format
Manuscript

Creator name

John Theophilus Desaguliers

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Citation

John Theophilus Desaguliers, Paper, 'Concerning the invention of telescopes' by J T [John Theophilus] Desaguliers, 1726, CLP/2/18, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/clp_2_18/paper-concerning-the-invention-of-telescopes-by-j-t-john-theophilus-desaguliers, accessed on 08 December 2025

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https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/clp_2_18/paper-concerning-the-invention-of-telescopes-by-j-t-john-theophilus-desaguliers

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  • Classified Papers

    The 'Classified Papers' of the Royal Society are papers from British and international natural philosophers and scholars categorised according to subject areas.

    Dates: 1592 - 1741

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