Astronomer Royal for Ireland
Encyclopedia
The Royal Astronomer of Ireland was a title attached to the Andrews Professorship of astronomy in Trinity College Dublin
and the directorship of its astronomical observatory
at Dunsink
, near Dublin. The eight title-holders included Charles Jasper Joly, Professor Sir Robert Stawell Ball, Professor Sir William Rowan Hamilton, and Professor John Brinkley. The title of Royal Astronomer of Ireland was introduced by Letters Patent
of George III
in 1792 so John Brinkley was the first Royal Astronomer.
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
and the directorship of its astronomical observatory
Dunsink Observatory
The Dunsink Observatory is an astronomical observatory established in 1785 in the townland of Dunsink near the city of Dublin, Ireland.Its most famous director was William Rowan Hamilton, who, amongst other things, discovered quaternions, the first non-commutative algebra, while strolling from the...
at Dunsink
Dunsink
Dunsink is a townland near Finglas, north Dublin, Ireland.Dunsink has an important observatory, where William Rowan Hamilton and Hermann Brück were both directors. It is the oldest scientific institution in Ireland...
, near Dublin. The eight title-holders included Charles Jasper Joly, Professor Sir Robert Stawell Ball, Professor Sir William Rowan Hamilton, and Professor John Brinkley. The title of Royal Astronomer of Ireland was introduced by Letters Patent
Letters patent
Letters patent are a type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch or president, generally granting an office, right, monopoly, title, or status to a person or corporation...
of George III
George III of the United Kingdom
George III was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of these two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death...
in 1792 so John Brinkley was the first Royal Astronomer.
- 1783–1792 Henry Ussher
- 1792–1827 John BrinkleyJohn Brinkley (astronomer)The Rt. Rev. John Mortimer Brinkley D.D. was the first Royal Astronomer of Ireland and later Bishop of Cloyne.-Early years:...
- 1827–1865 Sir William Rowan HamiltonWilliam Rowan HamiltonSir William Rowan Hamilton was an Irish physicist, astronomer, and mathematician, who made important contributions to classical mechanics, optics, and algebra. His studies of mechanical and optical systems led him to discover new mathematical concepts and techniques...
- 1865–1874 Franz Friedrich Ernst BrünnowFranz BrünnowFranz Friedrich Ernst Brünnow was a German astronomer.He was born in Berlin, and attended the Friedrich-Wilhelm gymnasium. In 1839 he entered the University of Berlin, where he studied mathematics, astronomy and physics, as well as chemistry, philosophy and philology. After graduating as Ph.D...
- 1874–1892 Sir Robert Stawell BallRobert Stawell BallSir Robert Stawell Ball was an Irish astronomer. He worked for Lord Rosse from 1865 to 1867. In 1867 he became Professor of Applied Mathematics at the Royal College of Science in Dublin. In 1874 Ball was appointed Royal Astronomer of Ireland and Andrews Professor of Astronomy in the University...
- 1892–1897 Arthur Alcock RambautArthur Alcock RambautArthur Alcock Rambaut was an Irish astronomer.-Life:Rambaut was born in County Waterford, Ireland, the third son of Rev. Edmund F. Rambaut, vicar of Christ Church, Blackrock, County Dublin. He was educated at Rathmines School, Dublin, Armagh and Trinity College, Dublin, where he won a...
- 1897–1906 Charles Jasper JolyCharles Jasper JolyCharles Jasper Joly was an Irish mathematician and astronomer who became Royal Astronomer of Ireland.-Life:...
- 1906–1912 Sir Edmund Taylor Whittaker
- 1912–1921 Henry Crozier Keating PlummerHenry Crozier Keating PlummerHenry Crozier Keating Plummer FRS was an English astronomer.-Early years and education:Born in Oxford, Plummer was the son of William Edward Plummer and nephew of the distinguished astronomer John Isaac Plummer. He gained his education at St. Edward's School and then Hertford College...
External links
- Trinity College Dublin's Astrophysics Research Group website.