John Winthrop (1714-1779)

Artists

Description

John Winthrop was the Hollis Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy at Harvard from 1738 to 1779. Copley depicted him holding in his hand a diagram showing the transit of Venus which he observed in 1761. The brass portable Cassegrain reflecting telescope on the table to his left was made by the London instrument maker James Short circa 1758. The telescope was Winthrop's personal property and was given to the College after his death in 1779, and is now in the University's Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments.

Dimensions

127.5 x 102.1 cm (50 3/16 x 40 3/16 in.) framed: 155.6 x 121.3 x 11.4 cm (61 1/4 x 47 3/4 x 4 1/2 in.)

Provenance

By descent through family to Henry G. Andrews, before 1845; Mrs. James (Sarah) Andrews, before 1853; Col. John Winthrop, her nephew and sitter's great grandson, Newport, 1853; gift of his executors and the heirs of Mrs. Andrews to Harvard, 1894.