Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope, 1820-1831 : the founding of a colonial observatory : incorporating a biography of Fearon Fallows

This book, which has been in the making for some eighteen years, would never have begun were it not for Dr. David Dewhirst in 1976 kindly having shown the author a packet of papers in the archives of the Cambridge Obser­ vatories. These letters and miscellaneous papers of Fearon Fallows sparked an interest in the history of the Royal Observatory at the Cape of Good Hope which, after the diversion of producing several books on later phases of the Observatory, has finally resulted in a detailed study of the origin and first years of the Observatory's life. Publication of this book coincides with the 175th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Observatory, e.G.H. Observatories are built for the use of astronomers. They are built through astronomers, architects, engineers and contractors acting in concert (if not always in harmony). They are constructed, with whatever techniques and skills are available, from bricks, stones and mortar; but their construction may take a toll of personal relationships, patience, and flesh and blood. This volume presents a comprehensive account of the origin, construction and use of the first major astronomical observatory in the southern hemisphere. Technical aspects, such as the instruments and their makers, the installation of the instruments and their initial problems, are described. In addition, the difficulties of founding a scientific institution in a remote colony are discussed in detail. The book includes a biography of the Cambridge-trained mathematician Fearon Fallows, the Observatory's first Director. The architecture, building methods and construction techniques are analyzed. There is also a wealth of detail on social aspects of life in Cape Town in the 1820s, including slavery and ecclesiastical matters. The book is unusual in the emphasis it gives to the human side of the story. . It will be of interest to historians of science, astronomers, and historians, particularly of early nineteenth-century South Africa. The Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope, was the first major astronomical observatory in the southern hemisphere, and this volume presents a comprehensive account of its origin, construction and use. It describes technical aspects, such as the instruments and their makers, the installation of the instruments and their initial problems. The difficulties of founding a scientific institution in a remote colony are also detailed. There is a biography of the Cambridge-trained mathematician Fearon Fallows, the Observatory's first Director. The architecture, building methods and construction techniques are analyzed. There is also a wealth of detail on the social aspects of life in Cape Town in the 1820s, touching on slavery and ecclesiastical matters. The book is unusual in the emphasis it gives to the human side of astronomy. Audience : Historians of science, astronomers and historians, particularly of early 19th century South Africa. Front Matter....Pages i-xii Cockermouth to the Cape Via Cambridge....Pages 1-36 Cape Residence....Pages 37-86 Birth of the Observatory....Pages 87-129 Instrumentation....Pages 130-150 Life at the Observatory....Pages 151-184 No Bed of Roses....Pages 185-226 Back Matter....Pages 227-240