Colonial American astronomer John Winthrop was born on Dec. 19, 1714. After graduating at the top of his class from Harvard College in 1732, Winthrop became the Hollis Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy there only six years later. He would hold the position for 40 years, until his death in 1779. During his career, he established the first experimental physics laboratory at Harvard, introduced calculus as part of the curriculum, and served as acting president of the college.
As an astronomical observer, Winthrop studied sunspots in 1739 and viewed the transit of Mercury in 1743. In 1759, he lectured on the Newtonian principles of the comet’s path and eventual return to Earth’s skies. In 1761, after undertaking a fervent campaign on the importance of observing the forthcoming transit of Venus, he made the long and difficult journey to St. John’s, Newfoundland, to view the phenomenon and send his data and reports to the Royal Society. Thanks in part to the support of Benjamin Franklin, Winthrop was elected to the Royal Society of London in 1766.
