William Herschel discovered NGC 4227 = H II-518 = h1156, along with NGC 4229, on 2 Jan 1786 (sweep 508) and recorded "Two, both eF, vS. The preceding [NGC 4227] is the largest, about 3 or 4' distance from each other." His position is accurate. JH made two observations, recording on sweep 131, "pF; R; psbM; the sp of 2."

400/500mm - 17.5" fairly faint, small, strong bright core. A mag 15 star is 0.9' NE of center. Forms the brighter of a pair with NGC 4229 2.6' NNE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb