John Coventry (instrument maker)

John Coventry (1735–1812) was an English constructor of scientific instruments. He made a reputation through the accuracy of his instruments.^[1]

Life

Coventry was born in Southwark. He worked with Benjamin Franklin and William Henly on electrical experiments, in the capacity of assistant.^[2]

Works

He was the inventor of a new hygrometer, more accurate than any which had been previously in use. This instrument was generally employed by the chemists and other scientific men of his day. His telescopes were found to be more accurately adjusted than those usually employed, and the lenses with which they were fitted were more truly ground. His graduations were especially correct.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b Stephen, Leslie, ed. (1887). "Coventry, John" . Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 12. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
^ Clifton, Gloria. "Coventry, John". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/6480. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

Attribution

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Stephen, Leslie, ed. (1887). "Coventry, John". Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 12. London: Smith, Elder & Co.

[DNB-1] Stephen, Leslie, ed. (1887). "Coventry, John" . Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 12. London: Smith, Elder & Co.

[2] Clifton, Gloria. "Coventry, John". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/6480. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

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