Christian Peters discovered NGC 4307 around 1881 with the 13.5-inch refractor at Hamilton College Observatory. He noted "pL, not vF" and his position is 2.5' south of UGC 7431. Wilhelm Temepel independently found NGC 4307 on 17 Mar 1882 and reported it in list VII (AN 2522).

400/500mm - 17.5" (3/24/90): moderately bright, large, edge-on SSW-NNE, broad moderate concentration. Forms a pair with IC 3211 3.2' S. The companion (identified as NGC 4307A in the RNGC) appeared extremely faint and small, round. NGC 4316 lies 20' NNE.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb