Telescope

Add to album

This brass reflecting telescope was made around 1765, by James Short (1710-68), a scientific instrument maker based in London.

The telescope is pillar-mounted on its wooden case and is engraved on the mirror retention plate, 'JAMES SHORT LONDON 188 /1335=7'. It has a lens cap but no accessories.

James Short attended courses given by Colin Maclaurin, Professor of Mathematics at Edinburgh University. Through the patronage of Maclaurin and the Earl of Morton, the young Short was able to sell his telescopes to a growing number of customers.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-102-815-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1984.33
• Date: Around 1765
  c. 1765
  
• Material: Telescope, reflecting
  
• Dimensions:
• What: Telescope, reflecting
  
• Subject: 22. PHYSICS, Light (Departmental Classification)
  
• Who: James Short, London (Maker)
  
• Where: England, London
  
• Event:
• Description: Brass reflecting telescope by James Short of London, c. 1765
  
• References:
  • For Short's life and work, see Clarke, T.N., Morrison-Low, A.D. & Simpson, A.D.C., Brass & glass scientific instrument making workshops in Scotland as illustrated by instruments from the Arthur Frank Collection at the Royal Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh: 
• Translations:
• Related Records: