Science, Revolution, and Monarchy in Two Letters of Joseph Donath to František Antonín Steinský

Two letters from the surviving eighteenth-century correspondence between polymath professor of history FrantiĹĄek AntonĂ­n SteinskĂ˝ in Prague and his friend, merchant Joseph Donath Philadelphia reveal an interesting episode transatlantic connections Central Europe North America. On one hand, Donath’s scientific observations conducted on behalf associates shared enlightened pursuits both regions, while other scorn for perceived political backwardness former compatriots reflect widening divide ushered by Age Revolutions. Alongside first biographical accounts English, this article presents time a full transcription two sent to 1790s. It explores role science discussion within their friendship across Atlantic contributes towards unearthing wider interplay interpersonal relationships different socio-political systems, namely monarchy republic.