Astronomer Royal
An honorary title held by a prominent British astronomer, created in 1675
by King Charles II when the Royal
Greenwich Observatory was founded. Before 1971, the Astronomer Royal
was also director of the Royal Observatory, but after that year these became
separate appointments. The title of Astronomer Royal for Scotland was created
in 1834 and held by the director of the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, until
1995 when the appointments were separated.
| The Astronomers Royal |
| name |
lived |
served |
| John Flamsteed
|
1646–1719 |
1675–1719 |
| Edmond Halley
|
1656–1742 |
1720–1742 |
| James Bradley |
1693–1762 |
1742–1762 |
| Nathaniel Bliss |
1700–1764 |
1762–1764 |
| Nevil Maskelyne
|
1732–1811 |
1765–1811 |
| James Pond |
1767–1836 |
1811–1835 |
| George Biddell Airy |
1801–1892 |
1835–1881 |
| William Henry Mahoney Christie |
1845–1922 |
1884–1910 |
| Frank Watson Dyson
|
1868–1939 |
1910–1933 |
| Harold Spencer Jones
|
1890–1960 |
1933–1955 |
| Richard van der Riet Woolley |
1906–1986 |
1956–1971 |
| Martin Ryle |
1918–1984 |
1972–1982 |
| Francis Graham-Smith |
1923– |
1982–1990 |
| Arnold W. Wolfendale |
1927– |
1990–1995 |
| Martin Rees |
1942– |
1995– |
Related category
• HISTORY
OF ASTRONOMY
Also on this site: Encyclopedia
of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living
Encyclopedia
of History
BACK TO TOP
|