John Bird. Mezzotint by V. Green, 1776, after J. Lewis.

John Lewis · 1776

Lettering: John Bird of London, who furnished the chief observatories of the world, with the most capital astronomical instruments divided by him after an improved method of his own, in a manner superior to any executed before, for which, and many other Improvements in the construction of astronomical instruments, he was honoured with a considerable recompence from the Commissioners of Longitude. Died the 31st March 1776, in the 67th year of his age. Lewis pinxit ; Engraved by V. Green, engraver to his Majesty, & to the Elector Palatine. The book on the table is inscribed "Constru... ... ral qua...": it is Bird's work The method of constructing mural quadrants exemplified by a description of the brass mural quadrant in the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, published in 1768. The technical drawing or print of a quadrant on the table is inscribed "J. Bird sculp."