John Herschel discovered NGC 5916 = h3601, along with NGC 5915, on 5 Jun 1836 and recorded "F; lE; glbM; 25". The following of 2." His position is accurate.

400/500mm - 17.5" (5/30/92): very faint, fairly small, elongated 2:1 N-S, low even surface brightness. The major axis is elongated at a right angle to NGC 5915 located 4.5' WNW.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb