History of the Royal Astronomical Society, 1820–1920Founded as the Astronomical Society of London in 1820, this illustrious organisation received its royal charter in 1831. It has counted some of the world's greatest astronomers among its members, most notably its first president, Sir William Herschel, whose family archive forms part of its extensive library. Now based in Burlington House in Piccadilly, it continues to publish journals, award medals and prizes, and support education and outreach work. Following the society's centenary, this survey of its history appeared in 1923 and comprises contributions from leading astronomers of the early twentieth century. The extracts from primary sources include the diary entry of Sir John Herschel, son of William, recording the dinner at which the society's formation was discussed. The work also provides insights into how the society was able to take advantage of imperial expansion to collect observations and data from around the world, fuelling the Victorian pursuit of scientific knowledge. |
Other editions - View all
History of the Royal Astronomical Society J. L. E. 1852-1926 Dreyer,Herbert Hall Turner No preview available - 2015 |
History of the Royal Astronomical Society Royal Astronomical Society,John L. Dreyer No preview available - 2017 |
History of the Royal Astronomical Society J L E 1852-1926 Dreyer,Herbert Hall Turner No preview available - 2018 |
Common terms and phrases
Adams Admiral Smyth Admiralty Airy Airy’s appeared appointed Astro Astronomer Royal award Babbage Baily’s Board of Longitude British Bye-Laws Cambridge Cape Carrington catalogue comet Committee copies Council decade December definite difficulties discovery double stars eclipse elected ephemerides February Fellows field fifty figure find fine first five Francis Baily Gill given Gold Medal Greenwich Hartwell Huggins instruments interest J. C. Adams J. R. Hind January John Herschel June letter Lockyer longitude Lord lunar matter Memoirs ment method Monthly Notices moon Morgan motion Nautical Almanac nebulae November o’clock observations Observatory office officers orbit paper parallax Pearson photographic planets present President printed Proctor Professor proposed publication published Ranyard received reflector Report researches Royal Astronomical Society Royal Society scientific Secretary Sheepshanks Sir John Smyth Society’s solar South sufficient sun-spots sun’s telescope tion Transit of Venus Verrier volume vote William