Volunteers Needed!!
Are you able to help research into the lives of Bedford's famous sons? We would really appreciate any help members could give to help fill out the histories of Smyth, Elger, Piazzi Smyth and Maclear
If you'd like to get involved, please contact any member of the committee
Admiral William Henry Smyth
Admiral William Henry Smyth was born in 1788 and established a private observatory in The Crescent. He led the trend of amateur observers discovering the sky.
He was reknowned for his book "Cycle of Celestial Objects" an original copy of which is kept in Bedford public library.
He died in 1865, and his telescope is held by the London Science Museum
Thomas Gwyn Empy Elger
Charles Piazzi Smyth
Charles Piazzi Smyth (1819 - 1900) was born into a great family, his Father being the famous Admiral. Educated at Bedford School, he became Astronomer Royal for Scotland. He was one of the first observers to appreciate using mountains as clear observing sites, launching an astronomical expedition to Mt. Teide in Tenerife.
His great observational skills were however somewhat tarnished by his later obsession with the significance of the Great Pyramids.
Sir Thomas Maclear
Thomas Maclear (1794 - 1879) was born in Ireland in 1794. He became House Surgeon at Bedford Infirmary and became a great friend of Admiral Smyth. He set up a family practice in Biggleswade High Street establishing a small observatory in the same town.
Maclear became HM Astronomer at The Cape in 1860, employing Piazzi Smyth as his assistant between 1835 and 1845, and was reknowned for making very accurate measurements of the sky
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