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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Paper, 'Of a fossil alligator at Whitby' by William Chapman

Reference number: L&P/3/317

Date: 20 March 1758

Description

Contains plate. First reported marine reptile discovery on the Yorkshire Coast, fossil given to the British Museum in 1781 and named Teleosaurus chapmani Konig.
Subject: Archaeology/Zoology

Published in Philosophical Transactions, as 'An account of the fossile bones of an allegator, found on the sea-shore, near Whitby in Yorkshire. In a letter to John Fothergill, M. D. from Capt. William Chapman'

Read 4 May 1758

Reference number
L&P/3/317
Earliest possible date
20 March 1758
Physical description
Ink on paper and plate
Page extent
3 pages
Format
Manuscript

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Citation

Paper, 'Of a fossil alligator at Whitby' by William Chapman, 20 March 1758, L&P/3/317, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/l-and-p_3_317/paper-of-a-fossil-alligator-at-whitby-by-william-chapman, accessed on 15 June 2025

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https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/l-and-p_3_317/paper-of-a-fossil-alligator-at-whitby-by-william-chapman

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  • Letters and Papers

    'Letters and Papers' contains the scientific correspondence sent to the Royal Society through the 18th century, many of which were published in its journal.

    Dates: 1741 - 1806

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