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Barometer, made by John Newman for James David Forbes

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in London

Postcard of Barometer, made by John Newman for James David Forbes.
000-180-000-956-C
© National Museums Scotland

Barometer, made by John Newman for James David Forbes

James David Forbes (1809-68), Professor of Natural Philosophy (physics) at the University of Edinburgh, was requested by the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1831 'to give designs for, and order a standard barometer to be placed in their apartments'. He approached John Newman of London (fl. 1816-60), whose skill in making precision barometers was such that he was commissioned to make two standard barometers for the Royal Society, London, in 1822 and again in 1837. This particular example proved unsuccessful, which may account for its incompleteness.

The standard brass barometer has the tube supported by two rectangular-sectioned brass pillars. At the top of each is a silvered scale, and between them a vernier (for reading off fractions of a degree). It is marked 'J. Newman / Regent St. / LONDON'. The vernier is moved by a brass knob below the scale on the right. A thermometer scale is engraved on the left pillar, in degrees 'Faht.' and 'Reur.'. There are two spirit levels on the top of the metal cistern cover. The barometer is incomplete.

John Newman's barometers included standard and portable mercury instruments for the Ross Antarctic expedition. His meteorological station barometers were installed in observatories throughout the British Empire. He was also instrument maker by appointment to the Royal Institution, in Albemarle Street, London.


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Online ID: 000-180-000-956-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0504: National Museums Scotland Part 2
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  T.1982.91
Date: 1831
Material: Brass. Inscription: J. Newman / Regent St. / LONDON
Dimensions: 70 mm x 75 mm x 950 mm
What: Barometer
Subject: 10. METEOROLOGY (Departmental Classification)
Who: J. Newman (Inscribed on the barometer)
J. Newman, London (Maker)
Where: England, London
England, London (Regent Street)
Event:
Description: Standard barometer in brass, with the tube supported by two rectangular-sectioned brass pillars
References:
  • For Newman, see Dawes, H.A.L. John Frederick Newman 1784-1860: "The ingenius instrument maker, Mr Newman of Lisle Str." Bulletin of the Scientific Instrument Society No 50 (1996), pp 11-14. 
  • Forbes, J.D. Report upon the Recent Progress and Present State of Meteorology. British Association Report 1832. London, 1833, pp 255-226. 
  • Waterston, C.D. Collections in context: the museum of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the inception of a national museum for Scotland. Edinburgh, 1997, p 193, item 2. 
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