Today we are publishing an article by Ash Mowat, a volunteer in the Civic Engagement team, on the astronomical observation of the planet Venus from Persia, 150 years ago.

In this blog we shall explore a collection of photographs recording an astronomical observation of the passage of the planet Venus as viewed from Persia (now modern- day Iran) in 1874, held in the University of Edinburgh’s Heritage Collections department.[1]

The location of the events was in the city of Isfahan, currently the third most populated city in Iran and one that retains much of its celebrated historical architecture and art.

The photographs were to record the transit of the planet Venus in December 1874, a rare event offering enhanced opportunities to observe the planet in closer detail.[2]

(The image above shows the detail captured of the planet which is remarkable given the relatively primitive telescopes that were utilised).

(In the image above, we can see set up of the larger format telescope that would have been used for the observations and photography of the passage of Venus. I like how it captures both the scientific equipment and the individuals engaged in their work, and not just a static pose before the camera).

(In the above two images we can see a set-up of one observation area at Baugh-i-Zerecht bridge at Sende-Roud, a city gate and location of the Shah Mosque which was completed in 1629 and is now a UNESCO world heritage site)

It is interesting to observe the variation between the two group photographs above, which were not positioned side by side in the folio, but that I have chosen to juxtaposite for the purposes of contrast. On the left the subjects depicted are the esteemed and privileged persons invited within the astronomical station, whilst the image on the right features a group of observers peering through the barrier of the perimeter gates.

The image on the left is more contrived, but perhaps purposely so to be a more official record, with the group members fixed rigidly for and staring towards the photographer. Many in the group are dressed in smart coats and top hats which add to the formality and might seem incongruous for the location.

I prefer the photograph on the right as here the subjects are much more natural, relaxed, and are not posing for or deferring to the photographer. The narrow depth of field utilised in the image nicely keeps its focus sharp solely on the central figures and blurs out the fore and background. Rather, their facial expressions and positions portray the connection and warmth between the group members, who might equally either be curious or indifferent to the events taking place within the gates.

(In the dramatic landscape image above, we have a brilliantly lit view of the Fatima Masumeh Shrine in the city of Qom. [3])

(I like this photograph for choosing to include the ordinary citizens homes of the period, perilously perched within the imposing mountains).

In conclusion, it was a privilege to view this stunning collection of photographs, clearly taken by a professional as the image quality, lighting and composition are of a great quality for the standards and capabilities of photography of this era. These images capture and preserve the dramatic landscapes of what was then Persia, and the people involved in the recording of this rare astronomical event.

I should like to thank my supervisor Laura Beattie (University of Edinburgh Community Engagement Officer) for support and guidance, and to all staff at the University of Edinburgh Centre for Research Heritage Collections for enabling access to view.

[1] https://archives.collections.ed.ac.uk/repositories/2/resources/340

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passage_de_V%C3%A9nus

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qom

As part of our goal to ‘create a complete, comprehensive, and enhanced online catalogue,’ one series emerged as particularly in need of attention: ‘Lectures.’ Lyell Intern Claire Bottoms took on the challenge of untangling the numerous, often complex manuscripts, working to bring clarity and accessibility to this crucial part of Lyell’s archive.

Hello, I’m Claire, an intern who has been working on the Charles Lyell Collection offprints over the last 7 months. As part of our efforts cataloguing the collection this Summer, we were able to extend our work to one final element that needed attention: Lyell’s series of lectures, delivered in the UK and the US between 1832-1853.

Charles Lyell’s 20-year career as a lecturer started with two years (1832-1833) in London at King’s College London and at the Royal Institution; and extended throughout his travels in the US (1841-1853), where he presented across New York, Boston and Philadelphia. Records of these lectures exist as part of his archive, gifted to the University by his family in 1927, with additional series coming in recent acquisitions in 2020. Historic cataloguing of this series has been limited to them being simply labelled as ‘Lyell Lectures’, but as we began to sort through them, it was evident that they were early in date, and documented his rewrites and learning. “He revised, rewrote and rethought each lecture before it was delivered”, observed Leonard Wilson in his book Lyell in America (p372). We established that they would really benefit from some serious re-ordering, additional context and detail.

Two printed Lecture cards, produced for the Lowell Lectures at Boston October – November 1845, Coll-203/B14/9.

Given that there are already some sources on Lyell’s lectures, which when pulled together, promised to a comprehensive overview of his work, and, that there was some apparent order of folders within boxes, as well as historic typed lists (compiled by Lyell scholar Martin Rudwick), we embarked on the task of compiling a timeline and order of events to make better sense of these records. We were also able to gather information from a variety of resources: online newspaper records, print resources, previous archival notes, as well as taking a close look at the records themselves, including lecture cards which detailed the contents, venues and topics of Lyell’s lectures. With time and effort, we were able to map across to the archives Lyell and his team had preserved (clerk George Hall, Mary Lyell and Arabella Buckley), his own collection of manuscripts, lecture notes and drafts, newspaper cuttings and correspondence.

A very useful table by Robert H Dott, which maps out the contents of Lyell’s lectures, 1832 through to 1852

Two key sources we used were written in the 1990s, one being Leonard Wilson’s Lyell in America (1998), which is only available in print, and no longer available to buy; luckily there is a copy at the University Library. We also used Robert H. Dott’s article ‘Charles Lyells debt to North America: his lectures and travels from 1841 to 1853‘ published by The Geological Society of London, 1998. In light of this, the construction of a new and updated timeline brought together information that was otherwise scattered and tricky to access – into a cohesive reference for Lyell’s lecture history.

Long notes, on blue paper, and short notes on white, prepared for Boston Lecture on Erratic Blocks, of Berkshire Massachusetts, 16 November 1852, reference Coll-203/B14/15.

Lyell appeared to work on, and organise his lecture notes, using a system of “long notes” (extended pieces of prose), and “short notes” (smaller booklets in numbered shorthand of the same content, often accompanied by timings and lists of illustrations). It is fascinating to see this process of writing, revising and refining his work, which allowed Lyell to hone his scientific ideas and communication skills; portions of these notes appear to make their way into Lyell’s later published works. Published sources describe Lyell as having been initially reluctant to teach and lecture, instead being eager to devote his time to his emerging writing career. The lecture series are credited with providing him with both the additional income, and the scientific recognition to do this. Notably, though Lyell was once a nervous public speaker (sources recount him dropping his notes once during his first lecture), this process likely helped develop a more polished and accessible approach.

Illustrations as delivered at the Lowell Lectures, Boston, 19 October 1852 – 26 November 1852, reference Coll-203/B14/15.

Original newspaper wrapping enclosing Lecture 5 Prose notes, from The Express, dated 19 March 1850, reference Coll-203/B14/12.

The archival records go beyond recording Lyell’s words, they also contain diagrams outlining Lyell’s plans for his lecture layouts, referencing the illustrations intended to support his presentations. It is apparent he travelled with these illustrations, as well as commissioning new ones on his way – sadly they’ve not survived, most likely victims of steamship voyages! Lyell’s lectures are also accompanied with older notes, articles and pieces of research that he brought together to use as material in his lectures. In many cases, all of these associated records are enclosed in newspaper wrappings. These wrappings added an unexpected additional layer of archival interest, and have been helpful in identifying the date, location and corresponding lecture.

Mapping Lyell’s selection of lecture materials has been a challenging changing process, with new pieces of information, resurfacing parts of the collection, and decisions regarding how to order the series emerging at every turn of the page! Yet, it has been incredibly fascinating and rewarding to see it all come together under a new timeline we are proud to have compiled and used to make sense of these folders, no longer only detailed as just ‘Lyell’s Lectures’.

Thank you, Claire, for transforming how Lyell’s ‘Lectures’ are presented in the catalogue. While still respecting the original acquisition details and their division into two sections, the information is now far more detailed. It reveals draft prose that Lyell would later incorporate into Principles, and, with the material now organized by lecture location, it’s much easier to trace how Lyell criss-crossed the Atlantic. Check out the details in sections Coll-203/8 and Coll-203/B14.