X-Nico

2 unusual facts about George Whatley


Bifocals

Historians have produced some evidence to suggest that others may have preceded him in the invention; however, a correspondence between George Whatley and John Fenno, editor of The Gazette of the United States, suggested that Franklin had indeed invented bifocals, and perhaps 50 years earlier than had been originally thought.

George Whatley

Whatley's portrait by an unknown painter is part of the Foundling Hospital art collection and can today be seen in the Picture Gallery at the Foundling Museum.



see also