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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Letter, from Antoni van Leeuwenhoek to the Royal Society, dated at Delft

Reference number: EL/L2/13

Date: 11 July 1687

Description

Signed autograph
Examination of the eggs of silkworms; examination of caterpillar's eggs; observations of human's squinting and a theory for its cause; as a note, Leeuwenhoek adds that he has observed roots of barley grain
Original figures no longer exist; engraved figures for publication are attached
Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, vol 6, p 311

Reference number
EL/L2/13
Earliest possible date
11 July 1687
Page extent
17 pages
Format
Manuscript and Printed
Also available on Early Modern Letters Online
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Creator names

Antoni van Leeuwenhoek

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Antoni van Leeuwenhoek

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Citation

Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, Letter, from Antoni van Leeuwenhoek to the Royal Society, dated at Delft, 11 July 1687, EL/L2/13, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/el_l2_13/letter-from-antoni-van-leeuwenhoek-to-the-royal-society-dated-at-delft, accessed on 07 November 2025

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https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/el_l2_13/letter-from-antoni-van-leeuwenhoek-to-the-royal-society-dated-at-delft

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  • Early Letters

    The archival collection known as 'Early Letters' is composed of original manuscript letters sent to, or collected by, the Royal Society from English and foreign correspondents.

    Dates: 1613 - 1740

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