Paper, 'A catoptric microscope' by Robt [Robert] Barker
Reference number: CLP/2/36
Date: 1735
Description
Barker writes of problems with conventional microscopes, including shading caused by the microscope, the difficulty of viewing small parts of large objects (i.e. during vivisection), and the short focus of dioptric microscopes. Barker proposes a new microscope based on the Newtonian telecope. Includes engraved figures from Philosophical Transactions and an early sketch of one figure.
Subject: Optics
Published in Philosophical Transactions as 'A catoptric microscope'.
Read to the Royal Society on 8 January 1735.
- Reference number
- CLP/2/36
- Earliest possible date
- 1735
- Physical description
- Ink on paper
- Page extent
- 6 pages
- Format
- Manuscript
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Citation
Robert Barker, Paper, 'A catoptric microscope' by Robt [Robert] Barker, 1735, CLP/2/36, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/clp_2_36/paper-a-catoptric-microscope-by-robt-robert-barker, accessed on 12 July 2025
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Related Publications
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I. A catoptric microscope External link, opens in new tab.
Date: 31st December 1735
DOI: 10.1098/rstl.1735.0052
Related Records
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'An Account of a Catoptric Microscope' by Robert Barker
Reference number: RBO/19/39
Hierarchy
This item is part of:
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Classified papers: volume 2 concerning 'Surveying, Opticks, Perspective, Sculpture, Painting, Music, Acoustics Mechanicks'
1656-1737 Reference number: CLP/2
Related Fellows
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Robert Barker
Author
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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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