Notebook on geography, navigation, mensuration, and other subjects, circa 1723-1743 Digital
Scope and Contents
This heavily illustrated notebook contains entries on the following topics, among others: geography; mensuration; navigation and the history of navigation; "the use of Gunter's Scale in plain sailing;" compasses; quadrants and their use; "the refraction of the stars observed by the famous Tycho Brahe;" the latitude and longitude of coasts in America, Europe, and Africa; oceans and islands; mountains and "burning mountains" (volcanoes); rivers and lakes; forests and deserts; maps and sea charts; and the uses of geometry and other measurements by carpenters, joiners, painters, glaziers, masons, and bricklayers. Many pages contain navigational problems and their detailed solutions, as well as chronologies of global exploration and lists of all known rivers, mountains, and other geographic features across the world, many with vivid descriptions. The last pages of the notebook contain entries made in December of 1743 regarding celestial measurements Prince took in Stratford, Connecticut, where he was staying with his brother.
The sophisticated content of this notebook, and the way it is organized, suggests that it was likely created by Prince in his role as Harvard College Tutor, rather than when he was a student. The 1743 entries demonstrate that, regardless of the notebook's original function, Prince carried it on his travels.
Dates
- Creation: circa 1723-1743
Researcher Access
The Papers of Nathan Prince are open for research.
Extent
.22 cubic feet (1 flat box)Former call number
Formerly classified as HUG 1712.5 Manuscripts
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased through the Bright Fund, Nov. 18, 1908.
General note
Note inside front cover reads: "This is a Ms. of Nathan Prince, the celebrated mathematician."
Repository Details
Part of the Harvard University Archives Repository
Holding nearly four centuries of materials, the Harvard University Archives is the principal repository for the institutional records of Harvard University and the personal archives of Harvard faculty, as well as collections related to students, alumni, Harvard-affiliates and other associated topics. The collections document the intellectual, cultural, administrative and social life of Harvard and the influence of the University as it emerged across the globe.
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