Caernarvonshire (Sir Gaernarfon)

Email: Survey Officer

Astronomers

Bryan, George Hartley, Prof. (1865-1928), professor of mathematics at Bangor, author of textbook on positional astronomy (Jones 2014, 81).

Cowling, Thomas George, Prof., FRS (1906-1990), professor applied mathematician and astrophysicist, one time professor in Bangor (Jones 2014, 82).

Gladstone, Murray (1816-1875), born Liverpool, he followed a career in engineering then commerce working in Manchester and living at Broughton, Salford where he pursued his interest in astronomy, building an observatory.  In the 1860s, he retired to Penmaenmawr where he built a country house and a larger observatory (Obit., MNRAS, 36 (1876), 142-3).

Griffith, John Edwards (1843-1933), amateur astronomer, Bangor (Jones 2014, 79).

Jones, John (“Y Seryddwr”, 1818-1898), amateur astronomer, lived in Bangor (Jones 2014, 76-7).

Newing, Robert Albert (1913-1984), lecturer, mathematics at Bangor (Jones 2014, 82-3).

Parry, Maldwyn Tecwyn, Rev. (d. c.1988), amateur observer, Bangor.

Phillips, William, Rev. (1870-?), amateur observer, Llandudno.

Morgan-Jones, J. C. M. (1895-?), amateur astronomer, Pwllheli.

Roberts, Eleazar (1825-1912), amateur astronomer and observer, born in Pwllheli -although spent most of his life in Liverpool  (Jones 2014, 72-3).

Thomas, John William (‘Arfonwyson’, 1805-1840), worked as computer, then assistant at Royal Observatory, Greenwich (Jones 2014, 72).

Observatories

Brisco Owen Observatory [BBO] (1926/7-1960/70s), Ffriddoedd Road, Bangor, established by the Physics Dept. of the University of North Wales. Equipped with a six-inch refractor by Grubb, donated by the sisters of the Rev. Arthur E. Brisco Owen. Later dismantled, but now lost when the university dept. was disbanded in the 1980s (Jones 2014, 82).

Gladstone’s Observatory [GlO](1860s-1875), Plas Tan-Y-Foel, Penmaenmawr, established by Murray Gladstone at his country house (Obit., MNRAS, 36 (1876), 142-3).

Astronomy Groups

Gwynedd Astronomical Society (GwAS), founded 1974-present.

Aberconwy Astronomical Society (AbercAS), founded late 1980s-early 1990s, now defunct.

Academics and associated professionals

Thomas George Cowling [Prof., FRS] (1906-1990), applied mathematician and astrophysicist, one time professor in Bangor.

Robert Albert Newing (1913-1984), lecturer in mathematics in Bangor, collaborated with T. G. Cowling on oscillations in stars.

George Hartley Bryan, Prof. (1865-1928), professor of mathematics at Bangor, author of textbook on positional astronomy.

Authors, lecturers, broadcasters

John William Thomas, (“Arfonwyson”, 1805-1840), author of books and pamphlets on mathematics and astronomy.

George Hartley Bryan, Prof. (1865-1928), professor of mathematics at Bangor, author of textbook on positional astronomy.

Resources

County Record Office
Victoria Dock
Caernarfon LL55 1SH
Wales

Correspondence Address :
County Offices
Shirehall Street
Caernarfon LL55 1SH

Tel 01286 679095/679088(Principal Archivist)
Fax 01286 679637

Email archives@gwynedd.gov.uk
URL http://www.gwynedd.gov.uk/archives/