Astronomer. Born in London. He became Astronomer Royal in 1811, and during his tenure, he substantially modernised the Greenwich Observatory. In 1833 he oversaw the installation of the time ball on the roof (probably, the first public time signal in the UK). The ball dropped daily at 1:00 p.m., and was intended to aid mariners on the Thames to synchronise their marine chronometers.
Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk
This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
John Pond
Instrument maker notable for making telescopes and other astronomical instruments. Source: Wikipedia.
The world's first business computer was built and operated by J. Lyons & Co. The LEO website provides: In October 1947, the directors of J. Lyons & Company, a British catering company famo...
Apothecary. Born in Köthen (Anhalt). Also known as Ambrose Godfrey-Hanckwitz and Gottfried Hankwitz or Hanckewitz. In 1679 he travelled to London and became an assistant to Robert Boyle. They worke...
Thomas Henry Huxley. Biologist and anthropologist. Born Ealing. Â An early adherent to Darwin's theory of evolution, he was a strong supporter while also pointing out what he saw as flaws. Â At the R...
Fifth British Astronomer Royal, 1765 - 1811. First person to scientifically measure the mass of the planet Earth. Created The Nautical Almanac. Born London and initially became a Church of Englan...
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