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Nevil Maskelyne

(1732-1811), Astronomer Royal

Mid-Georgian Portraits Catalogue Entry

Sitter in 4 portraits
In 1761, Maskelyne travelled to St Helena to observe the transit of Venus, using observations from this expedition to illustrate The British Mariner's Guide (1763). The guide gave instructions for finding longitude at sea by lunar distance. Maskelyne then travelled to Barbados on behalf of the Board of Longitude to test a rival source of longitude, a new watch invented by John Harrison. He was appointed Astronomer Royal on his return. Maskelyne's greatest achievement is the annual Nautical Almanac and Astronomical Ephemeris for which he was responsible for almost fifty years. The Almanac is the reason the international systems of time and longitude are today based upon the Greenwich meridian.

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Men of Science Living in 1807-8, by Sir John Gilbert, and Frederick John Skill, and William Walker, and Elizabeth Walker (née Reynolds) - NPG 1075

Men of Science Living in 1807-8

by Sir John Gilbert, and Frederick John Skill, and William Walker, and Elizabeth Walker (née Reynolds)
pencil and wash, 1858-1862
NPG 1075

Engraving after 'Men of Science Living in 1807-8', by George Zobel, and William Walker - NPG 1075a

Engraving after 'Men of Science Living in 1807-8'

by George Zobel, and William Walker
engraving, 1862
NPG 1075a

Key to engraving after 'Men of Science Living in 1807-8', by William Walker - NPG 1075b

Key to engraving after 'Men of Science Living in 1807-8'

by William Walker
engraving, 1862
NPG 1075b

Nevil Maskelyne, by R. Page, published by G. Jones - NPG D14424

Nevil Maskelyne

by R. Page, published by G. Jones
colour stipple engraving, published 1 May 1815
NPG D14424

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