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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Letter, 'Observation of the transit of Mercury, giving times observed by J Winthrop' from Benjamin Franklin to Nevil Maskelyne

Reference number: L&P/5/205

Date: 12 February 1770

Description

Subject: Astronomy

Published in Philosophical Transactions, as 'A letter from Dr. Franklyn, F. R. S. to the Astronomer Royal; containing an observation of the transit of Mercury over the Sun, November 9th 1769:'

Read 10 January 1771

Reference number
L&P/5/205
Earliest possible date
12 February 1770
Physical description
Ink on paper
Page extent
2 pages
Format
Manuscript

Creator name

Benjamin Franklin

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Citation

Benjamin Franklin, Letter, 'Observation of the transit of Mercury, giving times observed by J Winthrop' from Benjamin Franklin to Nevil Maskelyne, 12 February 1770, L&P/5/205, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/l-and-p_5_205/letter-observation-of-the-transit-of-mercury-giving-times-observed-by-j-winthrop-from-benjamin-franklin-to-nevil-maskelyne, accessed on 17 August 2026

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https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/l-and-p_5_205/letter-observation-of-the-transit-of-mercury-giving-times-observed-by-j-winthrop-from-benjamin-franklin-to-nevil-maskelyne

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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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