Thought for the month

"There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen" Vladimir Ilyich Lenin. 1870 – 1924

Friday, 31 December 2010

On this day in 1719

John Flamsteed FRS (born 19 August 1646 – died 31 December 1719) was an English astronomer who catalogued over 3,000 stars and was the first Astronomer Royal. Flamsteed wrote his first paper on astronomy at the age of nineteen, entitled Mathematical Essays, concerning the design, use and construction of an astronomer's quadrant, including tables for the latitude of Derby. He subsequently attended Jesus College, Cambridge (as did both RTA's Richard Thomson and Carl Richardson - although not at the same time ...). He is also remembered for his strong conflicts with Isaac Newton who published significant parts of Flamsteed's work against his request.

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