| 1 | Creator: | Dovaston, John,1740-1808. | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Astronomical Notebook
| | | | Dates: | 1764-1799 | | | | Abstract: | The amateur astronomer and scientific instrument maker John Dovaston was born into a long-established Shropshire family on April 25, 1740, the son of John Dovaston and Margaret (Rogers). While still in his twenties, Dovaston used the proceeds from his sugar plantations in Jamaica to build "The Nursery," an estate near West Felton, near Shrewsbury, where he lived until his death on April 4, 1808.
Dovaston's astronomical notebook contains observations on the transits of Venus and Mercury, 1761-1799; the eclipse of the moon, July 1776; and the comet of August 1797; as well as more general notes on stellar positions, astronomical instruments, calendars, and the measurement of latitude and longitude. The volume is illustrated, and includes copies of two letters received from his fellow amateur astronomer, Waldron Hill. Dovaston's interest in astrology is suggested by his detailed notes on casting a horoscope ("The Manner of Erecting a scheme or figure of the Heavens"), as well as by the presence of nativities for his son (1782) and for William Dovaston (1765). | | | | Call #: | Mss.522.D75 | | | | Extent: | 1.0 Volume(s) | | | | Sections: |
Background
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Scope and Contents Note
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Administrative Information
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Inventory
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| | | | Subjects: | Astrology--Great Britain--18th century | Astronomy--Great Britain--18th century | Beyond Early America | Bookplates | Calendars | Comets | Dovaston, John Freeman Millward, 1782-1854 | Dovaston, John,1740-1808. | Eclipses. | Hill, Waldron | Horoscopes | Latitude--Observations | Mercury (Planet)--Transit | Venus (Planet)--Transit | |
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