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Authorised form of nameHevelius; Johannes (1611 - 1687); astronomer
Other forms of nameJohann
Hevelius, Johann
Heweliusz, Jan
Other forms of surnameHewelcke
Dates1611 - 1687
NationalityPolish
Place of birthDanzig [Gdansk], Poland, Europe
Date of birth28 January 1611
Place of deathDanzig [GdaDsk], Poland, Europe
Date of death28 January 1687
OccupationAstronomer
Research fieldAstronomy
Instrument making
ActivityEducation:
Danzig Gymnasium; School at Bydgoszcz; Leyden (admitted 1630)
Career:
Visited London (1631) and Paris (1632-1634); worked in his father's brewery for two years and ran it after his father's death (1649); Magistrate (1641); City Counsellor (1651); built an observatory in his house, which was destroyed by a fire (1679) along with his instruments, workshop, printing press and books and papers, and reconstructed, though with inferior instruments (1681)
Membership categoryFellow
Date of election30/03/1664
Age at election53
ProposerSir Robert Moray
Royal Society activityCommittee and panels:
Astronomical and Optical Committee (1664)
Other Royal Society activityElected on the same day he was proposed; Acted as a frequent correspondent to the Society on astronomical matters, including the sending of star catalogues
RelationshipsParents: Abraham Hevelius and Kordula Hecker
Married: 1) Katharine Rebeschke; 2) Elisabeth Koopmann
Published worksRCN: 44020
RCN: 44018
RCN: 44017
RCN: 44019
RCN: 45076
RCN: 44016
RCN: 44014
RCN: 44015
RCN: 43854
RCN: 43853
RCN: 44021
General contextHevelius is frequently considered the founder of lunar topography and his work 'Selenographia sive Lunae Descriptio' (1647) elevated his international reputation. Some names he gave to lunar features are still in use to day and several constellations published in his catalogue of 1,564 stars are now accepted. His catalogue and celestial atlas were published together posthumously under the title 'Prodromus Astronomiae' in 1690. This publication was undertaken by his wife Elisabeth, who assisted Hevelius in his observations and is considered one of the first female astronomers.
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Image

Hevelius J, IM006131.jpg

SourcesSources:
Bulloch's Roll; DSB; Hunter; Encyclopaedia Britannica
References:
G H Turnbull, 'Samuel Hartlib's Influence on the Early History of the Royal Society' in NR 1953 vol 10 pp 101-130
Sir Harold Spencer Jones, 'Halley as an Astronomer' in NR 1956-57 vol 12 pp 175-192
E N da C Andrade, 'The Birth and Early Days of the Philosophical Transactions' in NR 1965 vol 20 pp 9-27
Albert Van Helden, 'Christopher Wren's De Corpore Saturni' in NR 1968 vol 23 pp 213-229
N S Hetherington, 'The Hevelius-Auzout Controversy' in NR 1972-3 vol 27 pp 103-106
Marie Boas Hall, 'The Royal Society's Role in the Diffusion of Information in the Seventeenth Century' in NR 1974-5 vol 29 pp 173-192
P B Wood, 'Hevelius's Business: An Unpublished Letter from Henry Oldenburg to the Earl of Tweeddale' in NR 1989 vol 43 pp 25-29
Sir Alan Cook, 'Ladies in the Scientific Revolution' in NR 1997 vol 51 pp 1-12
Sir Alan Cook, 'Our Foreign Correspondence' in NR 1999 vol 53 pp 179-182
Notes:
Proposed by Sir Robert Moray. Alternative version of surname appears in R and BR, alternative version of Christian name in Hunter.
Virtual International Authority Filehttp://viaf.org/viaf/73883445
Royal Society codeNA8253
Archives associated with this Fellow
Reference numberTitleDate
EL/H2/47Account of the occultation of Mars and of certain stars made on 1 September 1676 by Johannes Hevelius1676
EL/F1/58Note from John Flamsteedc 1669
EL/H2/56Johannes Hevelius to John Flamsteed1682
EL/H2/60Observations of the new occultations of fixed stars by Johannes Hevelius1683
EL/H2/57'Succinta Historiola De tribus Conjunctionibus magnis Saturni scilicet Jovis nec non Martis' by Johannes Hevelius1683
IM/005889Hevelius, Johannesnd
EL/H2/55Observations of the lunar eclipse on 21 and 22 February 1682 by Johannes Hevelius1682
IM/005405Hevelius, Johannesnd
EL/W2/16John Wallis, dated at Oxford, to Johannes Hevelius31 December 1673
DM/5/53Fair copy of a diploma for Johannes Hevelius, marking his election as a Fellow of the Royal Society15 April 1664
RBO/6/125Figure to show the occultation of Jupiter on 10 April 1686 by Johannis Heveliusnd
CLP/8i/20Paper, calculations to show 'several angles of the vertical circle with the Ecliplick at the suns center' at certain times by T S[17th Century]
EL/H2/10Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg28 June 1666
LBO/2/78Copy letter from Henry Oldenburg, London, to Johannes Hevelius11 May 1668
LBO/30/30Copy letter from Johannes Hevelius, Gdansk, to Mr Oldenburg29 September 1668
EL/H2/64Observations of the lunar eclipse in 1685 with table by Johannes Hevelius1685
CLP/8i/27/2Diagram and philolaic tables by Ismael Bullialdus1671
CLP/8i/15Paper, 'Eclipsis solaris observata 1666 die 2 July' [Observations of the solar eclipse on 2 July 1666] by Johannes Hevelius1666
CLP/8i/15/2Table, solar eclipse by Johannes Hevelius1666
CLP/8i/38/3Diagram Lunar eclipse by Hevelius1690
CLP/8i/26Letter, 'Description of a fiery meteor seen at Danzig' from Johannes Hevelius to to Henry Oldenburg1671
CLP/8i/15/1Manuscript, 'Eclipsis solaris observata 1666 die 2 July' [Observations of the solar eclipse on 2 July 1666] by Johannes Hevelius1666
CLP/20/56Letter, Concerning Hevelius' weather clock from Robert Hooke to [Johannes] Hevelius 29 November [?]
CLP/8i/40/3Drawing, lunar eclipse by George Christopher Eimmart1690
CLP/8i/26/1Manuscript, 'Description of a fiery meteor seen at Danzig' from Johannes Hevelius to to Henry Oldenburg1671
CLP/8i/26/2Drawing, Fiery meteor by Johannes Hevelius1671
EL/O1/11aHenry Oldenburg to Johannes Heveliusnd
EL/O1/16Henry Oldenburg to Johannes Hevelius3 August 1665
EL/O1/66Henry Oldenburg, dated at London, to Johannes Hevelius11 May 1668
EL/H2/31Solar eclipse observed at Danzig (Gdansk) on 22 August 1672 by Johannes Hevelius10 June 1672
CLP/19/26Various papers, including information about making potash, information about sal gemmae, sent by J Hevelius27 July 1667
EL/O2/89Henry Oldenburg, dated at London, to Johannes Hevelius5 July 1672
CLP/8i/27/1Manuscript, computation of the Sun and Moon from the Philolaick tables by Ismael Bullialdus1671
EL/F1/118Copy of a letter from John Flamsteed to Johannes Hevelius1676
EL/O1/33Henry Oldenburg to Johannes Hevelius24 August 1666
EL/H2/59'Historiola Cometae Anni 1683' by Johannes Hevelius1683
CLP/19/16Paper, 'Inquirenda a Hevelio' [Enquiries for Johannes Hevelius] by the Royal SocietyOctober 1665
EL/H2/43Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg1676
EL/H2/66Letter and observations of the eclipse of Jupiter on 10 April 1686 by Johannes Hevelius9 July 1686
EL/H2/63Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Francis Aston29 December 1685
EL/H2/51Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg13 May 1677
EL/H2/8Johannes Hevelius to Henry Oldenburg29 September 1665
EL/H2/41Account of the lunar eclipse on 1 January 1676 by Johannes Hevelius1676
EL/O1/23List of enquiries for Johannes Hevelius1666
EL/H2/39Account of the lunar eclipse on 11 January 1675 by Johannes Hevelius1675
EL/H2/52Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Edmond Halley1681
EL/O1/19Draft of a letter from Henry Oldenburg, dated at London, to Johannes Hevelius24 November 1665
EL/H2/45Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg26 June 1676
EL/H2/36Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg26 March 1674
EL/H2/28Johannes Hevelius to Henry Oldenburg1671
EL/H2/54Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Thomas Gale9 January 1682
EL/H2/62Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk) to Francis Aston19 May 1685
EL/H2/49Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to John Flamsteed2 January 1677
EL/H2/12Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg29 October 1666
EL/H2/21Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg5 July 1670
EL/H2/53Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Edmond Halley9 January 1682
EL/O2/58Henry Oldenburg, dated at London, to Johannes Hevelius9 November 1671
EL/H2/65Letter and observations of the eclipse of Jupiter on 10 April 1686 by Johannes Hevelius17 April 1686
EL/H2/20Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg21 March 1669
EL/H2/42Account of the solar eclipse observed at Danzig (Gdansk) on 23 June 1675 by Johannes Hevelius1675
EL/H2/50Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg1677
EL/H2/61Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Francis Aston4 April 1685
EL/H2/23Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg31 October 1670
EL/O2/140Henry Oldenburg to Johannes Heveliusnd
EL/H2/34Johannes Hevelius to Henry Oldenburg7 April 1674
EL/W2/26Extract of a letter from John Wallis to Johannes Hevelius31 December 1673
EL/H2/14Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg21 October 1667
EL/H2/37Johannes Hevelius to Henry Oldenburg18 August 1674
EL/H2/19Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg1668
EL/O1/2Henry Oldenburg, dated at London, to Johannes Hevelius7 January 1663
EL/O1/11Henry Oldenburg, dated at London, to Johannes Hevelius27 May 1664
EL/H2/2Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk) to Henry Oldenburg10 September 1664
EL/H2/29Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg9 March 1672
EL/H2/32Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg29 October 1672
EL/W1/2John Wallis, dated at Oxford, to Johannes Hevelius30 March 1663
EL/F1/116Copy of a letter from John Flamsteed to Johannes Hevelius1675
EL/H2/5Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg1 June 1665
EL/H2/67Letter from Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk)17 September 1686
EL/H2/40Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg31 August 1675
EL/H2/33Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg23 August 1673
EL/O1/10Henry Oldenburg, dated at London, to Johannes Hevelius27 May 1664
EL/H2/16Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg29 September 1668
EL/O1/9Henry Oldenburg, dated at London, to Johannes Hevelius29 April 1664
EL/O2/139Henry Oldenburg, dated at London, to Johannes Hevelius9 January 1674
EL/H2/30Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg10 June 1672
EL/O2/169Henry Oldenburg, dated at London, to Johannes Hevelius9 April 1677
EL/H2/9Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg16 January 1666
EL/O2/34Henry Oldenburg, dated at London, to Johannes Hevelius21 November 1670
EL/H2/24Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg4 March 1671
EL/O2/122Henry Oldenburg, dated at London, to Johannes Hevelius7 August 1673
EL/H2/22Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg27 August 1670
EL/H2/27Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg1671
EL/O1/92Henry Oldenburg, dated at London, to Johannes Hevelius11 December 1668
EL/H2/3Transcription of a letter from Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk) to Henry Oldenburg1665
EL/B1/126Michael Behm, dated at Gedani (Gdansk, Poland), to Johannes Hevelius11 November 1667
EL/H2/35Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg9 May 1674
EL/H2/7Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg12 September 1665
EL/H2/44Copy of a letter, from Johannes Hevelius to John Flamsteed1676
EL/W1/5John Wallis, dated at Oxford, to Johannes Hevelius5 April 1664
EL/O1/38Henry Oldenburg, dated at London, to Johannes Hevelius30 March 1666
EL/O1/22Henry Oldenburg to Johannes Hevelius30 March 1666
EL/H2/46Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg15 September 1676
EL/H2/13Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg18 December 1666
EL/H2/17Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg20 November 1668
EL/H2/58Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Francis Aston30 September 1683
EL/H2/4Partial transcription of a letter from Johannes Hevelius to Henry Oldenburg1665
EL/O2/129Henry Oldenburg, dated at London, to Johannes Hevelius5 September 1673
EL/O2/8Henry Oldenburg to Johannes Hevelius2 August 1669
EL/O2/32Henry Oldenburg, dated at London, to Johannes Hevelius8 September 1670
EL/H2/26Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg19 June 1671
EL/H2/18Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg1668
EL/H2/25Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg1 May 1671
EL/O1/76Henry Oldenburg to Johannes Hevelius30 July 1668
EL/H2/1Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg4 January 1664
EL/H2/38Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg1675
EL/O1/84Henry Oldenburg, dated at London, to Johannes Hevelius28 October 1668
EL/H2/15Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg13 June 1668
EL/O1/41Henry Oldenburg, dated at London, to Johannes Hevelius27 February 1666
EL/H2/11Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg3 July 1666
EL/H2/48Johannes Hevelius, dated at Danzig (Gdansk), to Henry Oldenburg2 January 1677
EL/O1/12Henry Oldenburg, dated at London, to Johannes Hevelius11 May 1664
EL/O1/13Henry Oldenburg, dated at London, to Johannes HeveliusNovember 1664
CLP/8i/27Paper, computation of the Sun and Moon from the Philolaick tables by Ismael Bullialdus1671
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