David Kennedy (New Zealand)
Encyclopedia
David Kennedy was born at Lyttelton
, New Zealand
, the son of an Irish mother and a Scottish father who came to New Zealand from Melbourne
in 1863. He became the first New Zealand born priest
of the Society of Mary (Marists)
, a noted astronomer and educator.
As a boy he showed a keen interest in both theology and science. Because of his undoubted intelligence and promise he was sent to study at the Marist college at Dundalk
, Ireland
in 1878. In 1884 he entered the Marist novitiate at Paignton, England
, and in 1886 he graduated BA at the Royal University of Ireland
in mathematics and science. For the following two years he taught at his old school in Dundalk, during which time he wrote a textbook, Natural philosophy for junior students, covering a variety of scientific topics including mechanics, hydrostatics, pneumatics, gravity and motion. It was published in Dublin in 1891 (and went to a 10th edition in 1926). Kennedy had continued his theological work, studying in France and Spain, and was ordained to the priesthood in Rome in 1891. There he studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University
, completing degrees in canon law
and divinity
in 1892.
In 1893 he returned to New Zealand to teach at the newly opened Marist seminary at Meeanee near Napier. Kennedy continued his scientific pursuits and gave public lectures illustrated with lantern slides. He was interested in entomology and was adept at microscopic photography, and from 1905 to 1909 he operated a meteorological station.
In 1909 he moved to St. Patrick's College, Wellington
where he was rector until 1917.
Kennedy's first love however was astronomy. Royalties from his book had helped fund an observatory he built at Meeanee. In July 1907 with a nine-inch photo-visual refracting telescope he opened a new observatory in Meeanee observatory. This was, at the time, the best equipped in New Zealand. A month later it was used to study Comet Daniel.
In 1910 together with two seminarians, Joseph Cullen and Ignatius von Gottfried, he photographed Halley's Comet. The photographs of this period were the best in the world for that appearance of the comet, and were republished in the United States by NASA
in 1986.
In 1911, when the Marist Seminary was shifted from Meeanee to Greenmeadows together with the observatory however it was destroyed in a storm in 1912.
Kennedy became rector at the Greenmeadows Seminary from 1918 to 1920, but lacked the money to re-establish the observatory.
Kennedy gave evidence before the Education Commission of 1912, and while at St Patrick's College enthusiastically promoted the study of science. One of his pupils, James Bronte Gatenby
, in 1920 became the first recipient of a DPhil degree from Oxford University, and was later professor of zoology
and comparative anatomy at Trinity College, Dublin
.
Kennedy became a fellow of the Royal Astronomical and Royal Meteorological societies. He was also admired for his skill as a cellist.
From 1929 to 1934 he was the provincial superior of the Society of Mary in New Zealand.
He died in Wellington
on 10 March 1936.
Lyttelton, New Zealand
Lyttelton is a port town on the north shore of Lyttelton Harbour close to Banks Peninsula, a suburb of Christchurch on the eastern coast of the South Island of New Zealand....
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, the son of an Irish mother and a Scottish father who came to New Zealand from Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
in 1863. He became the first New Zealand born priest
Priest
A priest is a person authorized to perform the sacred rites of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particular, rites of sacrifice to, and propitiation of, a deity or deities...
of the Society of Mary (Marists)
Society of Mary (Marists)
The Society of Mary , is a Roman Catholic religious congregation or order, founded by Father Jean-Claude Colin and a group of other seminarians in France in 1816...
, a noted astronomer and educator.
As a boy he showed a keen interest in both theology and science. Because of his undoubted intelligence and promise he was sent to study at the Marist college at Dundalk
Dundalk
Dundalk is the county town of County Louth in Ireland. It is situated where the Castletown River flows into Dundalk Bay. The town is close to the border with Northern Ireland and equi-distant from Dublin and Belfast. The town's name, which was historically written as Dundalgan, has associations...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
in 1878. In 1884 he entered the Marist novitiate at Paignton, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, and in 1886 he graduated BA at the Royal University of Ireland
Royal University of Ireland
The Royal University of Ireland was founded in accordance with the University Education Act 1879 as an examining and degree-awarding university based on the model of the University of London. A Royal Charter was issued on April 27, 1880 and examinations were opened to candidates irrespective of...
in mathematics and science. For the following two years he taught at his old school in Dundalk, during which time he wrote a textbook, Natural philosophy for junior students, covering a variety of scientific topics including mechanics, hydrostatics, pneumatics, gravity and motion. It was published in Dublin in 1891 (and went to a 10th edition in 1926). Kennedy had continued his theological work, studying in France and Spain, and was ordained to the priesthood in Rome in 1891. There he studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University
Pontifical Gregorian University
The Pontifical Gregorian University is a pontifical university located in Rome, Italy.Heir of the Roman College founded by Saint Ignatius of Loyola over 460 years ago, the Gregorian University was the first university founded by the Jesuits...
, completing degrees in canon law
Canon law
Canon law is the body of laws & regulations made or adopted by ecclesiastical authority, for the government of the Christian organization and its members. It is the internal ecclesiastical law governing the Catholic Church , the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox churches, and the Anglican Communion of...
and divinity
Divinity
Divinity and divine are broadly applied but loosely defined terms, used variously within different faiths and belief systems — and even by different individuals within a given faith — to refer to some transcendent or transcendental power or deity, or its attributes or manifestations in...
in 1892.
In 1893 he returned to New Zealand to teach at the newly opened Marist seminary at Meeanee near Napier. Kennedy continued his scientific pursuits and gave public lectures illustrated with lantern slides. He was interested in entomology and was adept at microscopic photography, and from 1905 to 1909 he operated a meteorological station.
In 1909 he moved to St. Patrick's College, Wellington
St. Patrick's College, Wellington
- History :Founded by Archbishop Francis Redwood SM, St Patrick's opened on June 1, 1885 with nine day-boys and twelve boarders.The College represents one of the earliest educational establishments of the Society of Mary the religious congregation whose members accompanied Bishop Jean Baptiste...
where he was rector until 1917.
Kennedy's first love however was astronomy. Royalties from his book had helped fund an observatory he built at Meeanee. In July 1907 with a nine-inch photo-visual refracting telescope he opened a new observatory in Meeanee observatory. This was, at the time, the best equipped in New Zealand. A month later it was used to study Comet Daniel.
In 1910 together with two seminarians, Joseph Cullen and Ignatius von Gottfried, he photographed Halley's Comet. The photographs of this period were the best in the world for that appearance of the comet, and were republished in the United States by NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
in 1986.
In 1911, when the Marist Seminary was shifted from Meeanee to Greenmeadows together with the observatory however it was destroyed in a storm in 1912.
Kennedy became rector at the Greenmeadows Seminary from 1918 to 1920, but lacked the money to re-establish the observatory.
Kennedy gave evidence before the Education Commission of 1912, and while at St Patrick's College enthusiastically promoted the study of science. One of his pupils, James Bronte Gatenby
James Brontë Gatenby
James Brontë Gatenby MA, PhD, DPhil, DSc lived from 10 October 1892 to 20 July 1960.He was a zoologist who is notable for his work on the structure of cells and the Golgi bodies.-Background:...
, in 1920 became the first recipient of a DPhil degree from Oxford University, and was later professor of zoology
Zoology
Zoology |zoölogy]]), is the branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct...
and comparative anatomy at Trinity College, Dublin
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...
.
Kennedy became a fellow of the Royal Astronomical and Royal Meteorological societies. He was also admired for his skill as a cellist.
From 1929 to 1934 he was the provincial superior of the Society of Mary in New Zealand.
He died in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
on 10 March 1936.