Abstract: We begin with the question 1 in the Newton＇s 《optics》 which is widely quoted by academia. Then we review the contributions on quantifying the gravitational deflection of light from the Mara, Cavendish, Soldner, Einstein, and so on. After that, we introduce the valuable work on the concept of gravitational lensing from F. Link. We find out the earliest evidence on the bending of light due to gravity and confirm the conceptual origin of the gravitational lensing. Furthermore, we clarify the truth of the conceptual origin of the gravitational lensing and present a true history of this discovery process.

Key words: history of physics, relativity and gravitation, gravitational lensing, history of astronomy