Lithographic caricature of Sir George Biddell Airy (1801-1892), seventh Astronomer Royal (1835-1881). Airy was the prime architect of the British Imperial campaign for the 1874 and 1882 ToVs. He was one of only five 19th-early 20th century astronomers to be honoured by a cartoon in Vanity Fair. Image courtesy of Specula astronomica minima (©Specula astronomica minima).

Professor John Winthrop, Harvard College’s Hollisian Professor of Mathematics and Philosophy, successfully observed the 1761 transit from Venus Hill, now thought to be somewhere in the vicinity of St. John's (Kenmount Hill?).