Adams, John Franklin, 1843 - 1912 (astronomer)
Person
Dates
- Existence: 1843 - 1912
Biography
John Franklin-Adams, distinguished British amateur astronomer, was born in Peckham in 1843. A Lloyd’s underwriter by profession, he developed his interest in astronomy in later life and was largely self-taught.
Franklin-Adams conceived of the idea of a photographic star chart in the late 1890s when he set up an observatory at his house in Machrihanish in Argyllshire. Between 1902 and 1904 he undertook work in South Africa photographing the whole of the Southern sky. He returned to England in 1904 and attached an observatory to his new home near Godalming in Surrey; by 1909 he had photographed the whole of the Northern sky. Franklin-Adams became dissatisfied with the quality of his South Africa plates and in 1909, was about to return to re-photograph the southern sky when he became ill. Instead, his assistant R.J. Mitchell along with H.E. Wood did, or re-did, the southern work, at the Union (Transvaal) Observatory.
The Franklin-Adams star charts are the first photographic atlas of the sky. They were published posthumously in 1913-1914 by the Royal Astronomical Society in 206 sheets.
Franklin-Adams also took part in two eclipse expeditions: the first to Santa Pola, Spain, for the Total Solar Eclipse on 28th May 1900 when he accompanied an observing party from the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh; the second to Algiers to observe the eclipse of 30th August 1905.
Franklin-Adams was elected a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1897. He died in 1912 age 69.
Found in 15 Collections and/or Records:
File
Correspondence on Franklin Adams charts, 1913 - 1923
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 8/135
Scope and Contents
Correspondence regarding the Royal Astronomical Society's reproduction and marketing of the Franklin Adams Chart plates as prints, with balance sheets, statements of expenditure, receipts and a list of subscribers.
Dates:
1913 - 1923
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).
File
Correspondence on Government grants correspondence, 1887 - 1926
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 7/241
Scope and Contents
Correspondence and related papers concerning the Government grants administered by the Royal Society.(1) Correspondence on Government grants, 1887-1895Letter from G.G. Stokes requesting a £300 grant on behalf of D. Gill, 1887.Letter from M. Forster suggesting a meeting to discuss the merits of the claim, 1888.Letter from J. McLaren on behalf of W. Peck, 1888, regarding a grant towards a photographic survey of the northern skies, with Christie's...
Dates:
1887 - 1926
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).
File
Correspondence on longitudes and latitudes, 1891 - 1914
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 7/261
Scope and Contents
Letter concerning police protection for the hut used at the longitude of Killorglin station, 1898.Correspondence between Christie, F.W. Dyson and H.P. Hollis, 1898.Letter regarding a proposed determination by Major Watherston of the longitude of Sekondi in the Gold Coast, 1902.Correspondence with the Colonial Office, Ambromm, concerning errors of the Moon, 1902-1903.Latitude variation results sent to the Royal Observatory by Professor Albrecht, 1906-1914, with...
Dates:
1891 - 1914
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).
File
Correspondence on observatories, 1924 - 1948
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 8/22
Scope and Contents
(1) Miscellaneous foreign observatoriesLetter from R. Atkinson to Colonel Gerado Dianderas, Peru, regarding equipment for the proposed Arequipa Observatory, 1946.Correspondence with the Hong Kong Royal Observatory regarding time signals, 1946.Letter from S. Jarocinski, Warsaw, to Sir Howard Grubb, Parsons and Co. Ltd, regarding the Babia Góra Observatory, 1937.(2) Miscellaneous British observatoriesLetters from E.M. Lindsay, Armagh Observatory, to Sir...
Dates:
1924 - 1948
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).
File
Correspondence on research fellowships, 1956 - 1960
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 9/69
Scope and Contents
General correspondence regarding research fellowships, including Gassiot Fellowships, Commonwealth Fund Fellowships and Nuffield Foundation Fellowships. There is a report on D.L. Bell's thesis; correspondence regarding arrangements for paying Department of Science and Industrial Research students; Richard Woolley's papers on Commonwealth Fund Research Fellowships; correspondence with P. Aldrich, President of the Commonwealth Fund, New York, regarding research fellowship interviews; and...
Dates:
1956 - 1960
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).
File
Correspondence on the Franklin Adams plates, 1910 - 1926
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 7/220
Scope and Contents
Correspondence with H. Knox-Shaw, Helwan, Egypt, concerning photographic magnitudes from the J. Franklin Adams plates, 1911-1915, including general correspondence with observatories on the scale of copies of the Franklin Adams charts.Correspondence with J. Franklin Adams regarding the counting of stars on his plates being carried out at Greenwich at his expense, the collection of the plates and storage at Greenwich; a report on the state of Franklin Adams charts and the progress in...
Dates:
1910 - 1926
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).
File
Melotte's catalogue of dark areas
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 7/278
Scope and Contents
P.J. Melotte's 'Catalogue of 1450 dark areas from Franklin Adams' plates', including an original script and first draft. The catalogue is undated.
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).
File
Melotte's dark nebulae data
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 7/276
Scope and Contents
P.J. Melotte's positional data of Dark Nebulae from Franklin Adams's plates, numbers 4-206, undated.
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).
File
Melotte's data
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 7/277
Scope and Contents
P.J. Melotte's rewritten, selective positional data of Dark Nebulae from Franklin Adams's plates, numbers 38, 202 and 204, including positional data for the Magellanic clouds and a miscellaneous celestial 'graph'. The papers are undated.
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).
File
Miscellaneous correspondence, A-H, 1900 - 1906
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 15/130
Scope and Contents
Miscellaneous correspondence of David Gill, with an index containing a précis of each item. The letters are divided into sections by correspondent:Professor A. Auwers, Berlin, 20 March 1901 - 26 March 1906.Professor O. Backland, Pulkova, 3 June 1901 - 28 May 1906.P. Baracchi, Melbourne, 18 May 1900 - 2 August 1906.Professor L. Boos, Albany, New York, 12 September 1902 - 19 September 1906.Miss Agnes Clerke, London, May 1901 - 3 December...
Dates:
1900 - 1906
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).
Sub-Series
Miscellaneous correspondence, A-K, 1896 - 1900
Sub-Series
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 15/128
Scope and Contents
Correspondence of David Gill with other astronomers, divided into sections by correspondent:J. Franklin Adams, 17 June 1896 - 29 March 1900.Professor A. Auwers, Berlin, 24 July 1880 - 15 January 1900.Sir Robert S. Ball, 20 May 1896 - 15 February 1900.Pietro Baracchi, Melbourne Observatory, 23 January 1897 - 19 January 1900.S.J. Braun, U.S. Naval Observatory, 2 March - 4 April 1900.Miss Agnes Clerke, London, 4 March 1897 - 18 February...
Dates:
1896 - 1900
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).
Series
Papers of John Franklin-Adams, 1897 - 1909
Series
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 75
Scope and Contents
Two journals by Franklin-Adams recording his astronomical work from 1897, when he first established an observatory at his house, until 1909, thus covering his time spent mapping the southern heavens at the Royal Observatory, Cape of Good Hope (1902-1904).
Dates:
1897 - 1909
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).
File
Papers on astrographic charts, 1902 - 1911
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 7/221
Scope and Contents
Papers regarding the loans and gifts of astrographic charts:Memorial on the distribution of specimens of prints from the astrographic plates and a copy of a communication on the distribution and costs from an unknown journal, 1903.Receipts from observatories for specimens of astrographic photographs, 1903.Correspondence with Father Hagen regarding a set of prints, 1905.Request from F.J. Stratton for a two-hour exposure photograph of the Pleiades,...
Dates:
1902 - 1911
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).
File
Papers on Halley's Comet, 1907 - 1912
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 7/174
Scope and Contents
Correspondence with the Helwan Observatory concerning the photographing of Halley's Comet, 1909-1910.Correspondence with W.J. Spratly, 1907, concerning the period of Halley's Comet, the more philosophical aspects of the comet and its connections with early Egyptian history.Memoranda on and ephemerides of Halley's Comet, mostly by A.D.C. Crommelin, 1908-1910.Correspondence with J. Franklin Adams concerning his visit to the Royal Observatory and a photograph of Halley's...
Dates:
1907 - 1912
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).
File
Papers on instruments, 1890 - 1901
File
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 7/163
Scope and Contents
Papers concerning instruments not held by the Royal Observatory:Extract from 'Engineering', 19 December 1890, concerning the new telescope for Melbourne Observatory.Letter from Bishan-Lal-B-A Sripershad of India regarding the whereabouts of a telescope owned by his father, 1892.Letter from the 'Yorkshire Post' regarding the largest telescope in the world, 1894.Correspondence with Dr Rambaut regarding the new mounting for the 15-inch at the Dunsink Observatory,...
Dates:
1890 - 1901
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).
Additional filters:
- Subject
- Astronomical observatories 1
- Astronomy 1
- Australia 1
- Canada 1
- Egypt 1
- Godalming 1
- Latitude 1
- Longitude 1
- Maps 1
- Montreal 1
- Netherlands 1
- Paris 1
- Sekondi-Takoradi 1
- South Africa 1
- Stars 1 + ∧ less
∨ more