‘The Hartwell Transit Room’
Date
1851
Sitter
John Lee (1783 - 1866) , Antiquary
Creator
James Basire III (1796 - 1869, British) , Engraver
Object type
Library reference
R63992
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 296mm
width (print): 232mm
width (print): 232mm
Subject
Description
Interior view of the transit room at Hartwell House, Buckinghamshire, England, the residence of John Lee from 1827. The scene shows an astronomer [John Lee] seated on an adjustable reclining seat, using a telescope, writing observations on a sheet of paper headed ‘HARTWELL’. His telescope is supported on twin piers, upon one of which is a lantern, shining light on a pendulum chronometer. The telescope is pointed through a shutter towards a starry night sky.
Plate 11 from the book Aedes Hartwellianae, or notices of the manor and mansion of Hartwell, by W.H. Smyth (London, 1851). Inscribed above right: ‘Plate XI’. Inscribed below: ‘The Hartwell Transit Room. Engraved by Js. Basire’.
The accompanying text states that the transit room was built at the south-east angle of Hartwell House. It contained a transit telescope made by Thomas Jones of Charing Cross, of 3.5 inch aperture and 60 inches focal length. The clock was made by Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy of Pall Mall.
John Lee [formerly Fiott] (1783-1866) British antiquary and astronomer was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1831.
William Henry Smyth (1788-1865) British naval officer and surveyor was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1826.
Plate 11 from the book Aedes Hartwellianae, or notices of the manor and mansion of Hartwell, by W.H. Smyth (London, 1851). Inscribed above right: ‘Plate XI’. Inscribed below: ‘The Hartwell Transit Room. Engraved by Js. Basire’.
The accompanying text states that the transit room was built at the south-east angle of Hartwell House. It contained a transit telescope made by Thomas Jones of Charing Cross, of 3.5 inch aperture and 60 inches focal length. The clock was made by Benjamin Lewis Vulliamy of Pall Mall.
John Lee [formerly Fiott] (1783-1866) British antiquary and astronomer was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1831.
William Henry Smyth (1788-1865) British naval officer and surveyor was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1826.
Related fellows
William Henry Smyth (1788 - 1865, British) , Naval officer
Associated place