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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/L2/17

Date: 28 November 1687

Description

Signed autograph
Transcribed correspondence between Leeuwenhoek and Heinsius concerning the discovery that cochineal was an insect and compares it to a leaf beetle; observations of and experiments with cinchona bark; anatomy of cinchona bark
5 figures now no longer exist; engraved figures for publication are attached
English translation see EL/L2/18
Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, vol 7, p 135

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

Antoni van Leeuwenhoek

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Citation

Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, Letter, from Antoni van Leeuwenhoek to the Royal Society, dated at Delft, 28 November 1687, EL/L2/17, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/el_l2_17/letter-from-antoni-van-leeuwenhoek-to-the-royal-society-dated-at-delft, accessed on 10 June 2026

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https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/el_l2_17/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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