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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Letter, from Antoni van Leeuwenhoek to the Royal Society

Reference number: EL/L2/44

Date: 15 October 1693

Description

Printed copy sent instead of signed autograph
Examination of the colours of plumes of the feathers of Leeuwenhoek's green parrot; observations of the colour of wool; metamorphosis of the pigeon flea; the life cycle of a human flea; anatomy of the legs of a flea
20 engraved figures attached
Read at Royal Society on 13 December 1693
See EL/L2/45 for covering letter
Transcribed and translated in 'Alle de brieven van Antoni van Leeuwenhoek', edited, illustrated and annotated by Committee of Dutch Scientists, vol 9, p 205

Reference number
EL/L2/44
Earliest possible date
15 October 1693
Page extent
44 pages
Format
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, 15 October 1693, EL/L2/44, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/el_l2_44/letter-from-antoni-van-leeuwenhoek-to-the-royal-society, accessed on 12 May 2026

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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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