Nevil Maskelyne
British astronomerWikipedia
4
MENTIONS
3
EPISODES
3
PODCASTS
Search complete. 4 mentions across 3 episodes found for "Nevil Maskelyne".
Oct 10, 2026
John HopkinsNARRATOR
And though he's a big step closer to claiming the prize, he's far from alone in that pursuit.
John HopkinsNARRATOR
Nipping at his heels is a die-hard lunar distance method supporter called Nevil Maskelyne.
John HopkinsNARRATOR
Decades younger than Harrison, Maskelyne is a Cambridge-trained astronomer closely connected to the scientific establishment.
John HopkinsNARRATOR
Working alongside the Astronomer Royal James Bradley, he has spent years refining the astronomical tables needed to make the lunar distance method usable at sea.
Emily AckermansSOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
So this method is also now ready to be tested at sea, and it's a lot cheaper.
Emily AckermansSOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
So you can get your nautical tables and your sextant for a lot less money than Harrison's H4.
Emily AckermansSOUNDBITE_SPEAKER
And this is why Harrison starts to see Nevil Maskelyne as a bit of his nemesis trying to get the rewards before he can.
John HopkinsNARRATOR
The feeling is mutual, with Maskelyne's supporter James Bradley reportedly claiming that they would have won the prize already if it weren't for Harrison's plaguey watch.