| | | Author: | Alexander, William, 1726-1783 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Variation of the compass, 1773
| | | | Dates: | 1773 | | | | Abstract: | This slender volume is an essay by William Alexander, a prominent figure in New Jersey politics and business. Alexander wrote this essay with the hope that it would spur the American Philosophical Society to support the study of variations in compasses. Alexander's interest in this subject likely had to do with his background as a merchant. He realized compass variations created inefficiencies and risks for captains and the merchants that relied on them. Alexander appeals specifically to the APS's mission by stating that such a study would be "useful to mankind." Alexander's essays shows that he is conversant in many of the current theories about variations. He also proposed a plan for the APS to facilitate a systematic study of compass variations that he believed would produce a clear general law for variations in compasses.
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| | | | Call #: | Mss.522.76.Al2 | | | | Extent: | 1 item(s) | | | | Topics: | Science and technology | Surveying and Maps | Trade | | | | Genre: | Scientific Correspondence | Scientific Data | | | | Subjects: | Astronomy -- 18th century | Compass. | Learned institutions and societies. | |
| | Author: | Anonymous | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | [Eclipses of the sun and moon, 1820-1838], n.d.
| | | | Dates: | Circa 1820-1838 | | | | Abstract: | This collection of astronomical calculations from 1786-1838 consists of various loose notes on eclipses and solar/lunar calculations, including information on an eclipse as witnessed in Canton and Philadelphia. The collection also has a folio size bound volume that diagrams (sometimes with color added) eclipses for the years 1818, 1820, 1822, 1823, 1824, 1829, 1838, as observed in Philadelphia.
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| | | | Call #: | Mss.521.8.Ec6 | | | | Extent: | 1 volume(s) | | | | Topics: | Science and technology | | | | Genre: | Scientific Data | | | | Subjects: | Astronomy. | Eclipses. | |
| | Author: | Baldwin, Loammi, 1780-1838 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Loammi Baldwin diary, 9 September 1823 - 29 November 1823
| | | | Dates: | 1823 | | | | Abstract: | The Diary of Loammi Baldwin (September 9 – November 29, 1823) chronicles a portion of Baldwin's trip to Europe where he observed European canals and other internal improvements. Baldwin was a leading civil engineer in antebellum America, and he traveled to Europe to learn about tested methods and good practices that he could bring back to America. The journal begins with Baldwin departing London for Dover and follows his trip through Holland and France. The diary contains numerous sketches of machinery, including carriages, canals, locks, boats, and steam-engine parts. There are also observations on European cities, towns, and customs. Many of the canal sketches are elaborate and detailed.
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| | | | Call #: | Mss.B.B189 | | | | Extent: | 1 volume(s) | | | | Topics: | Americans Abroad | Business and Skilled Trades | Engineering | International Travel | Science and technology | Travel | | | | Genre: | Art | Scientific Data | Sketchbooks | Travel Narratives and Journals | | | | Subjects: | Canals -- Belgium. | Canals -- Design and construction. | Canals -- England. | Canals -- France. | Canals -- Netherlands. | Technology - History | |
| | Author: | Billings, William, 1746-1800 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Journals of the Ship Apollo, 1789-1791
| | | | Dates: | 1789-1791 | | | | Abstract: | These journals (three volumes) chronicle the voyages of Apollo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1789-1791. William Billings was the captain of this Philadelphia-based ship. The destinations were Oporto and Corunna, and trade was the purpose for the voyages. Nonetheless, the ship's captain, William Billings, used the opportunity to study the Gulf Stream. He made numerous observations about the ocean temperature and weather with the apparent intention of submitting his findings to the American Philosophical Society. He paid particular attention to marking and studying the Gulf Stream. The journals were partially published in with a note in Transactions of the American Philosophical Society shortly after they were received in 1793. The originals are much longer than those published and include additional observations not published and graphs that could not be replicated.
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| | | | Call #: | Mss.656.B49 | | | | Extent: | 2 volume(s) | | | | Topics: | Business and Skilled Trades | International Travel | Trade | | | | Genre: | Meteorological Data | Scientific Data | | | | Subjects: | Meteorology -- Observations. | Voyages and travels. | |
| | Author: | Genth, F. A. (Frederick Augustus), 1820-1893 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Complete catalogue of the collection of minerals of Dr. F. A. Genth, [n.d.]
| | | | Dates: | n.d. | | | | Abstract: | The bound volume contains a catalogue of Frederick Augustus Genth's library. It is over 100 pages long. Genth was a prominent scientist in Europe and the United States. Born in Germany, he fled during the tumult of 1848, arriving in Baltimore before settling in Philadelphia where he worked as a contract scientist and professor. A large portion of his papers are housed at Penn State.
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| | | | Call #: | Mss.549.G283 | | | | Extent: | 1 volume(s) | | | | Topics: | Science and technology | | | | Genre: | Scientific Data | | | | Subjects: | Minerals -- Catalogs and collections. | |
| | Author: | Grew, Theophilus,d. 1759. | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Tables of the sun and moon fitted to the meridian of Philadephia, [1746-1761], n.d.
| | | | Dates: | n.d. | | | | Abstract: | Theophilus Grew was an astronomer, teacher, and author in Philadelphia. He provided astronomical calculations for many almanacs, including Poor Richard's. This single volume contains Grew's astronomical calculations for 1746-1761 for Philadelphia, which likely served as the basis for data used in almanacs. He was also a teacher. He ran a school before joining the early faculty in what would become the University of Pennsylvania. The volume can shed light on astronomical methods and calculations in early America, and what type of methods may have been taught to students in 1750s Philadelphia.
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| | | | Call #: | Mss.524.G86t | | | | Extent: | 1 volume(s) | | | | Topics: | Education | Science and technology | | | | Genre: | Scientific Data | | | | Subjects: | Astronomy -- Charts, diagrams, etc. | Eclipses. | Spherical astronomy. | |
| | Author: | Hare, Robert, 1781-1858 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Robert Hare papers, 1764-1858
| | | | Dates: | 1764-1858 | | | | Abstract: | The Robert Hare collection is a large, diverse, and rich collection. The collection contains essays, lectures, and letters to and from Robert Hare, the preeminent chemist in the United States during much of the nineteenth century. But as this collection shows, Hare was far more than a chemist. His essays and lectures touch on an array of topics, including discussions of democracy, currency, history, slavery, among others. The APS collection captures the sophistication of Hare's thought.
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| | | | Call #: | Mss.B.H22 | | | | Extent: | 3 Linear Feet | | | | Topics: | African American | Antebellum Politics | Business and Skilled Trades | Early National Politics | Education | Literature, Arts, and Culture | | | | Genre: | Business Records and Accounts | Educational Material | General Correspondence | Literature | Manuscript Essays | Scientific Data | Sketchbooks | Travel Narratives and Journals | | | | Subjects: | Abolition, emancipation, freedom | American Philosophical Society | Antislavery movements -- Pennsylvania | Banks and banking -- United States. | Blasting, Submarine | Blowpipe. | Capital punishment. | Chemical apparatus | Chemistry | Chemists -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia | Cyclones. | Electricity -- 19th century | Epidemics -- United States | Federalist Party -- Pennsylvania | Fire extinction | Guano | Mesmerism | Money | Paper money -- United States -- 19th century | Philadelphia (Pa.) -- Politics and government -- 19th century | Race, race relations, racism | Railroads | Religion | Rome (Italy) -- Antiquities | Science and technology | Slaughtering and slaughter-houses -- United States -- 19th century | Slavery -- Pennsylvania. | Slaves, slavery, slave trade | Smithsonian Institution | Spiritualism -- Pennsylvania | Storms | Tornadoes | United States -- Politics and government -- 19th century | |
| | Author: | Hays, Isaac,1796-1879. | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Isaac and I. Minis Hays papers
| | | | Dates: | Circa 1820-1925 | | | | Abstract: | Isaac Hays was a Philadelphia ophthalmologist who was also deeply involved in natural history. The Isaac Hays material has two discreet sections: a volume of correspondence for 1824-1855 and a collection of loose manuscripts. The first part of the collection is a bound volume that contains the correspondence Hays carried on with other prominent naturalists in the nineteenth century from 1824–1855, although the bulk come from the 1820s and early 1830s. Prominent correspondents in this series include Charles Lucien Bonaparte, George Ord, Thomas Say, and Charles Lesueur. All of the correspondence is incoming, addressed to Hays. Occasionally the correspondence involves commentary on other current events in addition to the obvious scientific nature of the correspondence. A letter from Bonaparte, for instance, discusses the rivalry between the Philadelphia and New York orchestras. The Ord correspondence, written mostly from Europe, makes reference to Audubon, Ord's ornithological rival, and scientific publications and thought prominent in Europe. The Say correspondence, written from New Harmony, also provides insight on that utopian experiment and his relationship with Lesueur, who also settled in New Harmony. There are only a few Lesueur letters, all of which are in French and written from New Harmony.
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| | | | Call #: | Mss.B.H334 | | | | Extent: | 1.75 Linear Feet | | | | Topics: | Natural history | Science and technology | Social Life and Custom | | | | Genre: | General Correspondence | Scientific Data | | | | Subjects: | Medical publishing -- United States -- 19th century. | Medical publishing -- United States. | Medicine -- Societies, etc. | Medicine -- United States -- 19th century. | Medicine -- United States. | Natural history. | Paleontology. | |
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