Chronology of events: Royal Society

For some events, the year is certain but the month and day are not. Example: We know only the year for the collections of Leeuwenhoek's letters published in Dutch during his lifetime.

For other events, the season or month are certain but the day is not. Example: Leeuwenhoek mentions that someone visited him "last month".

On the other hand, many events did indeed happen on the first day of a month. Example: public appointments to Delft's city offices took effect on January 1 of each year. Thus:

  • A date of January 1 in a given year may indicate that the year is certain but the month and day are not.
  • A date of 1 in a given month may indicate that the year and month are certain but the day is not.

Unless otherwise indicated, for events in England, the date given is Old Style, 10 days behind the Dutch Republic's New Style until 1700 and then 11 days behind.

September 1, 1665 Robert Hooke's Micrographia published
May 7, 1673 The Royal Society received Leeuwenhoek's first letter
May 19, 1673 At age 40, first letter published in Philosophical Transactions
November 12, 1674 The Royal Society read and discussed Leeuwenhoek's letter of June 1, 1674
February 11, 1677 The Royal Society read the first part of Leeuwenhoek's long letter of the previous October 9
February 18, 1677 The Royal Society read the second part of Leeuwenhoek's long letter of October 9, 1676
March 8, 1677 The Royal Society read the third part of Leeuwenhoek's long letter of October 9, 1676.
March 25, 1677 The Royal Society published Leeuwenhoek's letter of October 9, 1676, reporting microbes in infusions
March 29, 1677 The Royal Society read Leeuwenhoek's letter of March 23, 1677
May 18, 1677 Benedict Haan and Henry Cordes wrote to the Royal Society attesting to microbes in Leeuwenhoek's infusions
May 27, 1677 The Royal Society read Leeuwenhoek's letter of May 14, 1677
June 2, 1677 Robbert Gordon wrote to the Royal Society attesting to microbes in Leeuwenhoek's infusions
August 13, 1677 Aldert Hodenpijl wrote to the Royal Society attesting to microbes in Leeuwenhoek's infusions
August 21, 1677 Johannes Boogert, Robert Poitevin, and W. van der Burch wrote to the Royal Society attesting to microbes in Leeuwenhoek's infusions
August 30, 1677 Alex Petrie wrote to the Royal Society attesting to microbes in Leeuwenhoek's infusions
September 5, 1677 mentor Henry Oldenburg died in London
October 15, 1677 The Royal Society requested that Hooke try to replicate Leeuwenhoek's observations
November 1, 1677 Hooke failed to demonstrate "minute animals" in pump water. The Royal Society read the testimonials from people in Delft.
November 8, 1677 Using an improved microscope, Hooke again failed
November 15, 1677 Hooke finally succeeded
February 2, 1680 Hooke inquired whether Leeuwenhoek would accept election to the Royal Society
February 8, 1680 Elected a Fellow by the Royal Society
February 22, 1680 Thomas Gale authorized by the Royal Society to send diploma with seal to Leeuwenhoek
March 1, 1680 The Royal Society discussed Leeuwenhoek's diploma
March 4, 1680 The Royal Society discussed a silver box for Leeuwenhoek's diploma
March 7, 1680 Thomas Gale sent Leeuwenhoek official notice of his election as member of the Royal Society
March 14, 1680 The Royal Society further discussed Leeuwenhoek's diploma
April 22, 1680 Hooke sent Leeuwenhoek official notice of his election as member of the Royal Society
February 13, 1685 Visited by Thomas Molyneux on behalf of the Royal Society
August 27, 1685 editor Edmond Halley did not publish any letters by Leeuwenhoek in Philosophical Transactions from 1685 to 1693
January 27, 1686 The Royal Society elected Edmond Halley as clerk
March 2, 1686 editor Edmond Halley wrote a letter to Leeuwenhoek
May 19, 1686 The Royal Society decided to send a gift to Leeuwenhoek
May 25, 1686 editor Edmond Halley wrote a letter to Leeuwenhoek
June 16, 1686 The Royal Society officers declared their satisfaction with election of Edmond Halley
February 1, 1692 Robert Hooke called Leeuwenhoek the microscope's "single votary"
January 1, 1693 editor Richard Waller began publishing Leeuwenhoek again
November 30, 1693 Hans Sloane was elected Secretary of the Royal Society and editor of Philosophical Transactions. He published 68 articles by Leeuwenhoek over the next twenty years.
January 1, 1700 Visited by Hans Sloane, his editor at Philosophical Transactions