The Royal Observatory, Greenwich, 1881–1939

Between the late nineteenth century and the outbreak of the Second World War, astronomy underwent a radical change, from a science centred on the positional measurement of stars to the study of astrophysics and the universe. This book tells the story of the Royal Observatory at Greenwich from 1881 to 1939, charting a hitherto under-researched period of its history and bringing its management to life. Using a wealth of primary-source research in the Royal Observatory’s archives and elsewhere, Lee T. Macdonald describes and analyses in detail how the Observatory, originally founded in 1675 to tackle the problem of finding longitude at sea, branched out into areas at the cutting edge of astronomical research, including the photographic mapping of the sky and the study of solar eclipses. At the same time, he shows how the Observatory remained committed to its traditional missions in navigational and positional astronomy, and also how the Observatory’s work became increasingly challenged by the growth of London, culminating in the decision to move the Observatory elsewhere. The story is a valuable exemplar of how a working observatory was gradually transformed into a heritage institution, which thrives to this day. The Royal Observatory, Greenwich, 1881–1939 will be essential reading for astronomers and historians of science, and important for heritage professionals, particularly those working in historic scientific institutions.