William Herschel discovered NGC 4074 = H III-393 = h1073, along with 5 other nebulae, on 27 Apr 1785 (sweep 403) and noted together as "Six nebulae. The times and numbers belong to the three first [NGC 4072 = III-391, NGC 4070 = III-392 and NGC 4074 = III-393] which are vF, vS." His position (Auwer's reduction) is 3.1' too far southwest (given the same RA as[NGC 4072 = H III-391). John Herschel made a single observation on 29 Mar 1832 (sweep 409), measured an accurate position, and noted "eF".

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/28/87): faint, very small, round, even surface brightness. Located within the NGC 4065 cluster with NGC 4076 7' S.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb