A group of Luke Howard enthusiasts were welcomed to the Science Museum by Alexandra Rose, Curator of Earth Sciences and Astronomy. The visit started in the Dana Research Centre and Library which holds over half a million items on-site and also at Wroughton near Swindon. Nick and Prabha had laid out a fascinating range of items related to Luke Howard, not only meterological volumes, but letters, papers and certificates relating to other aspects of his life.
There were letters in Latin, German and French, as well as English, reminding us of the international esteem with which Luke Howard was held. This was not only for his meteorological endeavours. Papers included the relief efforts in Germany, British and Foreign Bible Society correspondence and Linnean Society letters. There were images of the Meissen vases presented to him as thanks for leading Quaker relief efforts in Germany following the Napoleonic wars (1805-1816). The Quaker initiative provided a catalyst for a much bigger effort in Germany, including £100 000 voted by the British Parliament, the first British overseas aid.
There were letters in Latin, German and French, as well as English, reminding us of the international esteem with which Luke Howard was held. This was not only for his meteorological endeavours. Papers included the relief efforts in Germany, British and Foreign Bible Society correspondence and Linnean Society letters. There were images of the Meissen vases presented to him as thanks for leading Quaker relief efforts in Germany following the Napoleonic wars (1805-1816). The Quaker initiative provided a catalyst for a much bigger effort in Germany, including £100 000 voted by the British Parliament, the first British overseas aid.
Dana Research Centre and Library is open to the public - advance booking essential.
A highlight of the tour for many - the Barograph Clock
located in the Making the Modern World gallery in the Museum “I have possessed for some years an eight-day astronomical clock, having a barometer connected with it, made in 1766 by Alexander Cumming, and which, on the decease of that excellent mechanic, his family allowed me to purchase by valuation. This curious instrument records, by means of a pencil supported on the quicksilver, and traversing a revolving scale, the movements of the barometer throughout the year; requiring for this purpose little more attention than the regular winding up of the clock. When I bought it, there was a latent defect in the bearings of the escapement, which for a long time gave me considerable trouble, the false beat which it occasioned coming on at uncertain intervals, during which the going was incorrect. This I have at length discovered and remedied; as I can now put full confidence in the reports of this automaton, I shall probably give them to the public at intervals, with remarks.” Luke Howard Climate of London Volume 1 Two tubes of mercury are concealed in the fluted wooden columns visible inside the glass trunk door. An ivory cistern and a wood and ivory pen cage run in ivory rollers connecting the pressure-measuring mechanism to the recording dial. In 1847 Luke Howard published Barometrographia, a lavish folio of prints taken from the circular charts of the Cumming barograph regulator and annotated with meteorological observational comments for London and Ackworth. A copy of Barometrographia was recently donated to Bruce Castle Museum in Tottenham by a descendant of Luke Howard. Click here for more information on the Barograph Clock |
Close to the Barograph Clock there are two cloud sketches by Luke Howard on display. These were produced in collaboration with the artist, Edward Kennion. Luke Howard's sketches which are held in the Science Museum, but owned by the Royal Meteorological Society, are currently in storage and will be available to view 2024. There are downloadable images of four Luke Howard and Edward Kennion collaborations here
Several members of group afterwards discussed what had caught their interest on the tour. The barograph clock itself was a highlight for Catherine, whilst for Lesley it was the exuberantly carved mahogany case for housing a functional scientific instrument. Moira was impressed by Luke Howard's links and renown across the continent and for Janice it was to learn that the Luke Howard led Quaker relief efforts prompted the first British overseas aid initiative.