| William Valentine Ball was charged by his father to transcribe his notes,diaries and correspondence into a biography of sorts, which he did and published in 1915 as “ Reminiscences and Letters of Robert S Ball “ It is an entertaining book written as Ball had requested “with a kind twist”. Here then was probably Britain’s most popular astronomer, for 35 years from 1874 to 1909, Sir Robert Stawell Ball virtually personified Astronomy to the English speaking world. His role as one who communicated Astronomy to the public in an optimistic and positive way, making it appear a valid pursuit, was important for scientists in other disciplines as well, at a time when the issue of endowed research was becoming important. He was, if you like, the Patrick Moore of his day. It is estimated that, not counting the many thousands of students and fellow scientists who heard him speak, at his public meetings alone, he lectured to well over one million people. Let us not forget his mathematical accomplishments, which were acknowledged by E T Whittaker, who ranked Ball as one of the greatest mathematicians of his age. Ball died on 25 November 1913, aged 73, and is buried in St Giles cemetery, Cambridge, near to his predecessor, John Couch Adams. LONG MAY HE BE REMEMBERED Back to Index |
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