John Smith (astronomer)
John Smith D.D. (baptised 14 October 1711 – 17 June 1795) was a British academic, astronomer and priest.
Early life
Smith was born in Coltishall, the second son of Henry Smith, an attorney, and Elizabeth Johnson. He spent 3 years at Norwich Grammar School and 6 at Eton College, before being admitted to Gonville and Caius College in 1732.[1]
Career
He was ordained in July 1739, and was briefly the curate of the parish of Coltishall, but became a fellow of Gonville and Caius in September of that year. After holding various offices, he was elected master of his college in 1764, a position he held until his death in 1795.[1] He was the second Lowndean Professor of Astronomy and Geometry from 1771, but seems to have produced little academic work. He did, however, install a transit telescope in the college.[2] He was additionally Chancellor of Lincoln Cathedral from 1783 until his death.[1]
Personal life
He did not marry, but lived with Margaret Smith, the widow of his younger brother Joseph. One of her sons, also named Joseph, became a fellow of Gonville and Caius, while one of her daughters, Mary, married John Porter, an Anglican bishop.
A friend described him as "a very honest and good-tempered man, though always shy and reserved".[1]
References
External links
- Venn, John (1898). Biographical history of Gonville and Caius College, 1349–1897. Vol. II (1713 to 1897). Cambridge University Press. p. 35. Retrieved 4 March 2011.
- Lynn, W. T. (1911). "Lowndes and the Lowndean Professorship". The Observatory. 34: 405–407. Bibcode:1911Obs....34..405L.
- Stratton, F. J. M. (1911). "Dr John Smith". The Observatory. 34: 449. Bibcode:1911Obs....34..449S.