William Herschel discovered NGC 5937 = H II-401 = h1926 = h3606 on 14 Apr 1785 (sweep 400) and recorded "pF, pL, vlbM, r, preceding 3 small stars that are in a row." From the Cape of Good Hope, JH logged "pB; S; R; gbM; 18"."

400/500mm - 17.5" (7/7/94): moderately bright, elongated 3:2 SW-NE, 1.2'x0.8', broad moderate concentration although no distinct core. An arc of four mag 11-13 stars curving N-S follows with the mag 11 star 3.4' NNE of center.

Notes by Steve Gottlieb