JOURNAL ARTICLE

"For Geographical Purposes": Andrew Ellicott, Lewis and Clark, and the Longitude.

  • Published In: Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, 2025, v. 166, n. 3. P. 1 1 of 3

  • Database: America: History and Life with Full Text 2 of 3

  • Authored By: DAVIS, GARY A. 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on the contributions of Andrew Ellicott and the Lewis and Clark expedition regarding the determination of longitude in early American exploration. It discusses Ellicott's role as a surveyor and astronomer, emphasizing his preference for the lunar distance method over the satellite eclipse method for calculating longitude. The article highlights the practical challenges faced by explorers in the field, particularly the computational difficulties associated with the lunar distance method, and examines the arguments made by Ellicott and his contemporaries, including Robert Patterson, in favor of lunar distances. It also reflects on the historical context of their methods and the evolution of statistical reasoning in scientific practice. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society. 2025/09, Vol. 166, Issue 3, p1
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:History
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0003-049X
  • DOI:10.1353/pro.2025.a970760
  • Accession Number:188658076
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society is the property of University of Pennsylvania Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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