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Papers of William Christie, 1823 - 1952

 Series
Reference Code: GBR/0180/RGO 7

Scope and Contents

The collection contains a wide range of papers relating to the activities of the Greenwich Observatory during Christie's period in office, with some additional material from Airy and Dyson's time. The early papers are concerned primarily with administration, including superintendence by the Government; internal regulations; buildings and grounds; moveable property; accounts with tradesmen; printing and publications; and the appointment and affairs of supernumerary computers. The later series cover chronometers; magnetism; meteorology; geodesy; standards; observatories in Britain and the Empire; planetary and lunar physics; astronomy and astrophysics; solar work; lectures and exhibitions; societies, charities and other institutions; the Time Service; and meridian work. The papers also include a wide selection of miscellaneous correspondence.

Dates

  • Creation: 1823 - 1952

Creator

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).

Biographical / Historical

William Henry Mahoney Christie (1845-1922) was born at Woolwich on 1 October 1845, son of Samuel Hunter Christie, Professor of Mathematics at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. He attended King's College School, London, and matriculated at Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1864, where he studied mathematics (B.A., 1868), and was elected a Fellow in 1869.

In 1870 Christie was selected by George Airy, the Astronomer Royal, as the new Chief Assistant at Greenwich. After taking up his position, he instituted the daily photographic observations of the Sun and spectroscopic observations of the Sun and stars. He invented a mechanical paper drum in 1873 for recording the observation of star declinations, and designed a new spectroscope, which came into use in 1877. He also introduced the Observatory magazine, which he continued to edit until 1882, and published several papers on spectroscopy.

In 1881 Christie was appointed Astronomer Royal in succession to Airy, and began work on expanding and updating the work of the Observatory. Solar photography at Greenwich was increased and improved, and other observatories were asked to provide plates for days when the weather conditions at Greenwich were unfavourable to photography. Christie made improvements to the Observatory's instrumentation, procuring a 28-inch refractor and 13-inch photographic refractor and instigating the purchasing or refurbishing of other telescopes. He also oversaw changes to the Greenwich site, with the construction of new buildings and the expansion of existing ones. Some of the most significant reforms of this period related to staffing. The number of staff was greatly increased, and changes were made to improve the methods of recruitment. In 1896 Christie persuaded the Admiralty to allow him two Chief Assistants, leading to the appointment of P.H. Cowell to support the existing assistant, F.W. Dyson. Other changes included improvements to work rotas and the employment of women as computers for the first time. Away from Greenwich, Christie contributed to many international conferences and engaged in the discussions that led to the adoption of Greenwich as the international Zero Meridian. He also joined expeditions to observe solar eclipses, including trips to Japan (1896), India (1898), Portugal (1900) and Tunisia (1905).

Christie was married in 1881 to Violette Mary Hickman (d. 1888), by whom he had two sons, one of whom died at a young age. His elder son, Harold, became a lawyer and lived with his father at Greenwich until his marriage in 1921. Christie was an active member of the Royal Astronomical Society, being elected Fellow in 1871, and serving as Secretary, 1880-1882, and President, 1888-1890. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society, serving on its Council three times, including twice as Vice-President. In 1902 he was awarded an Honorary D.Sc. by Oxford University, and in 1904 he received his knighthood. He retired from the Royal Observatory in 1910, and spent his later years travelling extensively. He died at sea on 22 January 1922, while travelling to Morocco.

Extent

3 cubic metre(s) : paper

Language of Materials

English

French

German

Italian

Other Finding Aids

A word-processed handlist is available in the Manuscripts Reading Room.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Most of the papers became part of the Observatory's archives subsequent to Christie's retirement. Details of later accessions are given with the records concerned.

General

This description was created by Robert Steiner, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives.

Originator(s)

Christie, William Henry Mahoney

Finding aid date

2006-03-30 10:36:04+00:00

Includes index.

Repository Details

Part of the Cambridge University Library Repository

Contact:
Cambridge University Library
West Road
Cambridge CB3 9DR United Kingdom