| RefNo | MOB/048 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Quadrature of the circle |
| Artist | Hudson, Charles |
| Date | 1831 |
| Description | Demonstration of a ‘solution’ to the impossible problem of the quadrature (or squaring) of the circle: consisting of a circular brass plate with an equatorial bar and attached steel angles. Together with a fitted red leather case lined with velvet. The bisected brass ring is inscribed recto: ‘To His Royal Highness Prince Augustus Frederick Duke of Sussex President of the Royal Society of London are Most Respectfully Dedicated by the original Discoverer. Charles Hudson of Calcutta; the Solution and Demonstration of The Quadrature of the Circle and Geometric Mean Anno Christi 1831’. Inscribed verso: ‘See Letters to the Royal Society of London dated 20th January 1825- 2 April 1825 9th June 1826, 20th June 1828, 12 November 1830 by Charles Hudson. See Preface to the Society Philosophical Transactions Part 1 of the Years 1827 and 1828.’ |
| Extent | 1 instrument |
| ObjectName | Scientific Instrument |
| Materials | Metal, wood, leather, velvet |
| Dimensions | h 194 x w 107 x d 25 mm |
| AccessStatus | Open |
| Provenance | Presented to the Society by Charles Hudson in 1831 |
| RelatedMaterial | Charles Hudson corresponded with the Society on his squaring of the circle prior to sending this object; including communicating a paper [AP/12/12], 'On demonstration of the theory of the Quadrature of the Circle [...]' |
| URLDescription | Digital version available on The Royal Society Picture Library |
| URL | https://pictures.royalsociety.org/image-rs-12468 |
| https://pictures.royalsociety.org/image-rs-12469 |
| https://pictures.royalsociety.org/image-rs-12470 |
| https://pictures.royalsociety.org/image-rs-12471 |