Illustration in Hero's Automata
Date
17th century
Creator
Unknown, Artist
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p12r
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 251mm
width (page): 163mm
width (page): 163mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Machine with statue holding grapes in a book of Automata by Hero of Alexandria, once owned by Robert Hooke. The manuscript was given to Hooke by Dr Robert Wood FRS on 14 January 1678. Hooke died on 3 March 1703, and on 28 April 1703, his niece and executor, Mrs Dellon, gave the Royal Society several natural objects and 'manuscripts in divers languages'. This illustrated Greek manuscript of the Automata of Hero of Alexandria was one of them. At the meeting, Humfrey Wanley (later FRS) stated that the MS had been 'written by Angelus Burgecius [i.e. Vergikios] a Cretan at Paris about the year 1567'.
Object history
14 January 1678, 'Dr. Wood gave me Heroes Automatopeia in a greek manuscript.' (The Diary of Robert Hooke, ed. by H. W. Robinson and W. Adams (London: Taylor & Francis, 1935), p. 340.)
28 April 1703, ‘Several natural things were presented to the Society, together with some MSS in divers languages, by Mrs Dellon, Administratrix to Dr Hooke. She was order’d to be thanked; and to be paid the Arrears of Rent due from the Society to the Doctor, till the time of his Death.’ (JBO/11/20)
28 April 1703, ‘Several natural things were presented to the Society, together with some MSS in divers languages, by Mrs Dellon, Administratrix to Dr Hooke. She was order’d to be thanked; and to be paid the Arrears of Rent due from the Society to the Doctor, till the time of his Death.’ (JBO/11/20)
Related fellows
Robert Hooke (1635 - 1703, British) , Natural philosopher
Robert Wood (1621 - 1685, British) , Mathematician
Robert Wood (1621 - 1685, British) , Mathematician
Associated place