Skip to content

Please be aware that some material may contain words, descriptions or illustrations which will not reflect current scientific understanding and may be considered in today's context inaccurate, unethical, offensive or distressing.

The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Paper, 'Account of the whispering place at Gloucester [Cathedral]' by [William] Henry Powle

Reference number: CLP/2/33

Date: 1662

Description

Explains the layout and structure of a narrow passage in Gloucester Cathedral behind the high altar called a whispering gallery. A gentle whisper at the end of this gallery was audible for the entire length of the gallery. Its description by Henry Powle was read at the meeting of the Royal Society on 5 November 1662. Earlier in the year (August 1662), fellows such as Robert Boyle, Jonathan Goddard, Walter Charleton, and William Croone were discussing echoes and sounds, and had sought information about the whispering gallery from Henry Powle.

Includes a diagram of the gallery.

Subject: Acoustics / Architecture

Read to the Royal Society on 29 October or 5 November 1662.

Reference number
CLP/2/33
Earliest possible date
1662
Physical description
Ink on paper
Page extent
4 pages
Format
Manuscript

Creator name

Henry Powle

View page for Henry Powle

Use this record

IIIF manifest

View​ IIIF ​ manifest Opens in new tab

Open in Mirador viewer Opens in new tab

Export this record

Download PDF Opens in new tab

Citation

Henry Powle, Paper, 'Account of the whispering place at Gloucester [Cathedral]' by [William] Henry Powle, 1662, CLP/2/33, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/clp_2_33/paper-account-of-the-whispering-place-at-gloucester-cathedral-by-william-henry-powle, accessed on 20 September 2024

Link to this record

https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/clp_2_33/paper-account-of-the-whispering-place-at-gloucester-cathedral-by-william-henry-powle

Embed this record

<iframe src="https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/embed/items/clp_2_33/paper-account-of-the-whispering-place-at-gloucester-cathedral-by-william-henry-powle" title="Paper, 'Account of the whispering place at Gloucester [Cathedral]' by [William] Henry Powle" allow="fullscreen" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="500px"></iframe>

Related Records

Hierarchy

This item is part of:

Related Fellows

Explore the collection

  • Classified Papers

    Dates: 1592-1741

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

    View collection