John Rand Capron
Encyclopedia
John Rand Capron was an English
amateur scientist, astronomer and photographer. Though a solicitor
by profession, he became an expert on spectroscopy
, particularly in relation to the aurora
, and published many articles during his lifetime.
He is also remembered for a speculative letter, in the scientific journal Nature
on early incidences of "crop circles", in which he suggested they were caused by "cyclonic wind action".
, London
, the son of a leather merchant. Educated at the Royal Grammar School, Guildford
, he was articled
to his uncle John Capron, a prominent Guildford
solicitor. He entered into partnership with his uncle in 1850, and was also appointed Borough Coroner and Clerk of the Peace
.
His obituary in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society described how at while at school, during convalescence from an attack of typhoid fever, he had been lent a microscope
, which "opened out a new world of wonder and beauty" for him. Although initially interested in biology, fossils and the study of geology, he later developed a particular enthusiasm for the study of spectroscopy and astronomy, building a private observatory at Guildown on the "Hog's Back", Surrey. In 1877 he published a significant work on "Photographed Spectra", which provided reference photographs of the spectra of various elements. In 1879 he extended this into a study of the characteristics of the aurora, and in 1883 published an analysis of an extremely unusual phenomenon observed during the aurora of November 17, 1882
; Capron was one of the first scientists to seriously research the nature of aurorae, particularly from a spectographic perspective. He also conducted experiments on atmospheric electrical charges, fixing a "corona" of platinum wires on top of Booker's Tower
on the Hog's Back, linked by wires to his observatory.
Capron was a prominent local philanthropist and was described as "ever ready, though in the most unostentatious manner, to afford aid and succour to those in poverty and distress". A contributor to The English Mechanic and World of Science commented "I have heard - what he tried hard enough to hide - that the good he did among the poor was something remarkable. Few men indeed possessing his wealth and leisure have devoted them more ungrudgingly to the benefit of others". He died on November 12, 1888 in Eastbourne
.
A fir plantation near Normandy, Surrey
, which Capron owned, still has the name "Rand's Plantation". The Surrey History Centre in Woking
holds a collection of photographs believed to have been taken by Capron.
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...
amateur scientist, astronomer and photographer. Though a solicitor
Solicitor
Solicitors are lawyers who traditionally deal with any legal matter including conducting proceedings in courts. In the United Kingdom, a few Australian states and the Republic of Ireland, the legal profession is split between solicitors and barristers , and a lawyer will usually only hold one title...
by profession, he became an expert on spectroscopy
Spectroscopy
Spectroscopy is the study of the interaction between matter and radiated energy. Historically, spectroscopy originated through the study of visible light dispersed according to its wavelength, e.g., by a prism. Later the concept was expanded greatly to comprise any interaction with radiative...
, particularly in relation to the aurora
Aurora (astronomy)
An aurora is a natural light display in the sky particularly in the high latitude regions, caused by the collision of energetic charged particles with atoms in the high altitude atmosphere...
, and published many articles during his lifetime.
He is also remembered for a speculative letter, in the scientific journal Nature
Nature (journal)
Nature, first published on 4 November 1869, is ranked the world's most cited interdisciplinary scientific journal by the Science Edition of the 2010 Journal Citation Reports...
on early incidences of "crop circles", in which he suggested they were caused by "cyclonic wind action".
Life
Capron was born on February 19, 1829 in St. Leonards, ShoreditchShoreditch
Shoreditch is an area of London within the London Borough of Hackney in England. It is a built-up part of the inner city immediately to the north of the City of London, located east-northeast of Charing Cross.-Etymology:...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, the son of a leather merchant. Educated at the Royal Grammar School, Guildford
Royal Grammar School, Guildford
The Royal Grammar School is a selective English independent day school for boys in Guildford, Surrey. The school dates its founding to the death of Robert Beckingham in 1509 who left provision in his will to 'make a free scole at the Towne of Guldford'; in 1512 a governing body was set up to form...
, he was articled
Articled clerk
An articled clerk, also known as an articling student, is an apprentice in a professional firm in Commonwealth countries. Generally the term arises in the accountancy profession and in the legal profession. The articled clerk signs a contract, known as "articles of clerkship", committing to a...
to his uncle John Capron, a prominent Guildford
Guildford
Guildford is the county town of Surrey. England, as well as the seat for the borough of Guildford and the administrative headquarters of the South East England region...
solicitor. He entered into partnership with his uncle in 1850, and was also appointed Borough Coroner and Clerk of the Peace
Clerk of the Peace
A clerk of the peace held an office in England and Wales whose responsibility was the records of the Quarter Sessions and the framing of presentments and indictments. They had legal training, so that they could advise justices of the peace.-England and Wales:...
.
His obituary in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society described how at while at school, during convalescence from an attack of typhoid fever, he had been lent a microscope
Microscope
A microscope is an instrument used to see objects that are too small for the naked eye. The science of investigating small objects using such an instrument is called microscopy...
, which "opened out a new world of wonder and beauty" for him. Although initially interested in biology, fossils and the study of geology, he later developed a particular enthusiasm for the study of spectroscopy and astronomy, building a private observatory at Guildown on the "Hog's Back", Surrey. In 1877 he published a significant work on "Photographed Spectra", which provided reference photographs of the spectra of various elements. In 1879 he extended this into a study of the characteristics of the aurora, and in 1883 published an analysis of an extremely unusual phenomenon observed during the aurora of November 17, 1882
Aurora of November 17, 1882
The Aurora of November 17, 1882 was a geomagnetic storm and associated aurora event, widely reported in the media of the time. It occurred during an extended period of strong geomagnetic activity in solar cycle 12....
; Capron was one of the first scientists to seriously research the nature of aurorae, particularly from a spectographic perspective. He also conducted experiments on atmospheric electrical charges, fixing a "corona" of platinum wires on top of Booker's Tower
Booker's Tower
Bookers Tower is a four-storey octagonal tower built in the 19th century, in the Gothic style. It is in Guildford, Surrey, and can be found along Beech Lane, behind the Mount Cemetery ....
on the Hog's Back, linked by wires to his observatory.
Capron was a prominent local philanthropist and was described as "ever ready, though in the most unostentatious manner, to afford aid and succour to those in poverty and distress". A contributor to The English Mechanic and World of Science commented "I have heard - what he tried hard enough to hide - that the good he did among the poor was something remarkable. Few men indeed possessing his wealth and leisure have devoted them more ungrudgingly to the benefit of others". He died on November 12, 1888 in Eastbourne
Eastbourne
Eastbourne is a large town and borough in East Sussex, on the south coast of England between Brighton and Hastings. The town is situated at the eastern end of the chalk South Downs alongside the high cliff at Beachy Head...
.
A fir plantation near Normandy, Surrey
Normandy, Surrey
Normandy is both the name of a civil parish in the borough of Guildford in Surrey, England and the name of the largest village in that parish. It lies close to the western edge of the county of Surrey close to the border with Hampshire and just north of the chalk hill known as the Hog's Back...
, which Capron owned, still has the name "Rand's Plantation". The Surrey History Centre in Woking
Woking
Woking is a large town and civil parish that shares its name with the surrounding local government district, located in the west of Surrey, UK. It is part of the Greater London Urban Area and the London commuter belt, with frequent trains and a journey time of 24 minutes to Waterloo station....
holds a collection of photographs believed to have been taken by Capron.
Personal life
Capron married Fanny Nibblett (1820–1909) in June 1856. They had one son, born in 1858.Books
In addition to many shorter articles, Capron published the following books:- Photographed Spectra, London: E & F N Spon, 1877
- Auroræ: their characters and spectra, London: E & F N Spon, 1879
- A Plea for the Rainband, and the Rainband Vindicated, London: Edward Stanford, 1886