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Airy, George Biddell, Sir, 1801 - 1892 (Knight, astronomer)

 Person

Dates and places

1801-1892. Born at Alnwick, Northumberland. Educated at Colchester Grammar School and Trinity College, Cambridge. Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, 1826-8; Plumian Professor of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy, 1828-36; Director of the Cambridge Observatory, 1828-36. Astronomer Royal, 1836-81.

Geographical areas

Cambridge University, Cambridge, UK

Legal status / Nationality

British

Sphere of activity

Astronomy

Other information

See also:- Venn, DNB

Found in 19 Collections and/or Records:

 Fonds

Archives of the University Observatory, its sister body the Solar Physics Observatory, and their successors, the combined Observatories and Institute of Theoretical Astronomy, 1818 - 1999

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0265/UA/Obsy
Scope and Contents

The archives comprise the records of internal governance, finance, building and equipment development and astronomical observation, together with several small assortments of personal papers of individuals associated with the University Observatory, its sister and successor bodies, such as G.B. Airy, H.F. Newall and R.O. Redman.

Dates: 1818 - 1999
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: The University Archives are generally freely available to the holder of a reader's ticket for the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library, West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DR. Restrictions on access are imposed on certain categories of sensitive record: financial, governmental and personal, by order of the originating body or under data protection legislation. Access information, including opening hours and how to obtain a reader's ticket, appears as part of the Library's web site (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 File

Bargain and sale by Mrs Sophia Lagden and Revd William Benson, trustees for sale of land under will of Revd H.A. Lagden, deceased, to Professor Airy, of four enclosures called Cobshall and New Englands in Balsham, held of the manor of Balsham; with copy, 1832-11-19

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0265/UA/D.XII.34
Scope and Contents From the Sub-Series:

The revenue from the estate endowed the Plumian Professorship of Astronomy (and Experimental Philosophy), founded in 1704 in pursuance of the will of Thomas Plume, DD. The bequest was to cover the cost of the erection of an observatory, and the stipend, residence and instruments of the Professor.

Dates: 1832-11-19
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: The University Archives are generally freely available to the holder of a reader's ticket for the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library, West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DR. Restrictions on access are imposed on certain categories of sensitive record: financial, governmental and personal, by order of the originating body or under data protection legislation. Access information, including opening hours and how to obtain a reader's ticket, appears as part of the Library's web site (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 File

Calculations, 1830

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0265/UA/Obsy D.5
Scope and Contents From the Fonds:

The archives comprise the records of internal governance, finance, building and equipment development and astronomical observation, together with several small assortments of personal papers of individuals associated with the University Observatory, its sister and successor bodies, such as G.B. Airy, H.F. Newall and R.O. Redman.

Dates: 1830
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: The University Archives are generally freely available to the holder of a reader's ticket for the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library, West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DR. Restrictions on access are imposed on certain categories of sensitive record: financial, governmental and personal, by order of the originating body or under data protection legislation. Access information, including opening hours and how to obtain a reader's ticket, appears as part of the Library's web site (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 Sub-Series

Discovery of Neptune papers, 1845 - 1976

 Sub-Series
Reference Code: GBR/0265/UA/Obsy D.3
Scope and Contents

Comprise: correspondence and observations; photocopy of article on G.B. Airy in the 'Eagle', Easter 1976.

Dates: 1845 - 1976
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: The University Archives are generally freely available to the holder of a reader's ticket for the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library, West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DR. Restrictions on access are imposed on certain categories of sensitive record: financial, governmental and personal, by order of the originating body or under data protection legislation. Access information, including opening hours and how to obtain a reader's ticket, appears as part of the Library's web site (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 File

Family letters to Hilda Routh (née Airy) on her honeymoon, 1-23 September 1864

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.10450/1
Scope and Contents

A set of letters sent to Hilda Routh, George Airy's eldest daughter, during her honeymoon in September 1864 by George Airy, his wife Richarda, Hilda’s sisters, Christabel and Annot, and brother Hubert. The letters are of a personal nature and are originally tied together with string.

Dates: 1-23 September 1864
 Fonds

Family papers of George Biddell Airy

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.10450
Content Description A set of Airy Family papers passed down through the family by Hilda Routh (née Airy), daughter of Astronomer Royal, George Biddell Airy.It includes a set of letters sent to Hida Routh on her honeymoon (from George, her mother Richarda, and sister Christabel Airy), newspaper cuttings primarily relating to George B. Airy, and miscellanea. It also includes three framed items: a photograph of George B. Airy on his 90th birthday and two lithographic prints showing Airy and the Airy...
Dates: 1860 - 1875
 Item

Letter from Thomas Maclear (RO, Cape of Good Hope) to Francis Baily, 25 October 1835

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 15/29/4
Scope and Contents

Concerning the publication of Cape observations by Fallows and Maclear; the accuracy of the transit clock; the expansion of the Cape Observatory; observations of Halley's Comet, 1-24 September 1835; C. Piazzi Smyth's suitability as an assistant; and Brisbane’s Cape Catalogue. The people mentioned include G.B. Airy, R. Sheepshanks, Captain Beaufort, W.G. Grey, F. Fallows, Sir John Herschel and C. Piazzi Smyth.

Dates: 25 October 1835
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 Item

Letter to Anna Listing from George B. Airy, 2 January 1879

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.10452/1/6
Content Description From the Fonds:

A set of papers relating to George B. Airy and his family, particularly Wilfred Airy. Includes correspondence, obituaries of George Airy, items relating to the erection of an obelisk at Playford, miscellaneous historical papers, and a substantial set of family photographs.

Dates: 2 January 1879
 Item

Letter to George Biddell from George B. Airy, 17 January 1848

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.10452/1/4
Scope and Contents

Describing an apparatus he wished to build, with drawings.

Dates: 17 January 1848
 Item

Letter to Hilda Routh from George B. Airy, 17 September 1864

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.10450/1/19
Scope and Contents From the File:

A set of letters sent to Hilda Routh, George Airy's eldest daughter, during her honeymoon in September 1864 by George Airy, his wife Richarda, Hilda’s sisters, Christabel and Annot, and brother Hubert. The letters are of a personal nature and are originally tied together with string.

Dates: 17 September 1864
 Item

Letter to Hilda Routh from George B. Airy, 3 September 1864

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.10450/1/4
Scope and Contents From the File:

A set of letters sent to Hilda Routh, George Airy's eldest daughter, during her honeymoon in September 1864 by George Airy, his wife Richarda, Hilda’s sisters, Christabel and Annot, and brother Hubert. The letters are of a personal nature and are originally tied together with string.

Dates: 3 September 1864
 Item

Letter to Wilfred Airy from George B. Airy, 7 May 1886

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.10452/1/9
Scope and Contents

Concerning Wilfred's visit to Egypt, the Great Pyramid at Giza, and Alexandria.

Dates: 7 May 1886
 File

Obituary notices of Sir George B. Airy, 1892

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.10452/2/8-29
Scope and Contents

Includes a caricature of Airy with an accompanying note by C. May.

Dates: 1892
 File

Occultations, 1830 - 1836

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0265/UA/Obsy D.6
Scope and Contents From the Fonds:

The archives comprise the records of internal governance, finance, building and equipment development and astronomical observation, together with several small assortments of personal papers of individuals associated with the University Observatory, its sister and successor bodies, such as G.B. Airy, H.F. Newall and R.O. Redman.

Dates: 1830 - 1836
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: The University Archives are generally freely available to the holder of a reader's ticket for the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library, West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DR. Restrictions on access are imposed on certain categories of sensitive record: financial, governmental and personal, by order of the originating body or under data protection legislation. Access information, including opening hours and how to obtain a reader's ticket, appears as part of the Library's web site (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 File

Original copper plates for G.B. Airy's account of the Northumberland equatorial telescope, 1844

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0265/UA/Obsy E.1
Scope and Contents From the Fonds:

The archives comprise the records of internal governance, finance, building and equipment development and astronomical observation, together with several small assortments of personal papers of individuals associated with the University Observatory, its sister and successor bodies, such as G.B. Airy, H.F. Newall and R.O. Redman.

Dates: 1844
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: The University Archives are generally freely available to the holder of a reader's ticket for the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library, West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DR. Restrictions on access are imposed on certain categories of sensitive record: financial, governmental and personal, by order of the originating body or under data protection legislation. Access information, including opening hours and how to obtain a reader's ticket, appears as part of the Library's web site (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 Sub-Fonds

Personal papers of George Biddell Airy, 1828 - 1980

 Sub-Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0265/UA/Obsy H.1
Scope and Contents From the Fonds:

The archives comprise the records of internal governance, finance, building and equipment development and astronomical observation, together with several small assortments of personal papers of individuals associated with the University Observatory, its sister and successor bodies, such as G.B. Airy, H.F. Newall and R.O. Redman.

Dates: 1828 - 1980
Conditions Governing Access: From the Management Group: The University Archives are generally freely available to the holder of a reader's ticket for the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library, West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DR. Restrictions on access are imposed on certain categories of sensitive record: financial, governmental and personal, by order of the originating body or under data protection legislation. Access information, including opening hours and how to obtain a reader's ticket, appears as part of the Library's web site (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
 File

Photographs of George B. Airy, c.1856-1891

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.10452/4/2
Scope and Contents

Includes three studio photographs taken in 1866, another taken on his 80th birthday (27 July 1881), and three taken on his 90th birthday (27 July 1891).

Dates: c.1856-1891
 Item

Portrait of George B. Airy, c.1836-1840

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.10450/4/1
Scope and Contents

Portrait of George Biddell Airy, Astronomer Royal; half length, seated, to the left, looking at viewer, with his hands together in his lap. Inscribed with a dedication to the king listing Airy as 'F.R.S. Professor of Astronomy in the University of Cambridge'. 'Drawn by Wageman' / 'On Stone by Isaac W. Slater' / [published by] 'W Mason'.

Dates: c.1836-1840
 Item

Press cuttings relating mainly to the Airy family, 1860 - 1875

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.10450/2
Scope and Contents

A set of newspaper clippings concerning:

George Airy, including reports on his appointment as Knight Commander and on his observation of a solar eclipse in 1860;

Edward Routh;

the launch of the Victor Emmanuel at Greenwich and its naming by Hilda Airy, 1856;

the death of Dr William Whewell;

a funeral notice for Lady Richarda Airy, 1875.

Dates: 1860 - 1875

Additional filters:

ARCHON code (for CUL materials)
Archives and MSS Dept. (GBR/0012) 11
University Archives (GBR/0265) 7
Royal Greenwich Observatory (GBR/0180) 1
 
Type
Archival Object 18
Collection 1
 
Subject
Astronomy 3
Travel 2
Academic buildings 1
Alexandria, Egypt (inhabited place) 1
Ancient history 1