Papers of Philbert Melotte, 1750 - 1966
Scope and Contents
The collection contains a wide range of material created or accumulated by Melotte during his lifetime. There are four main series, relating to the Royal Greenwich Observatory, British Astronomical Association, Royal Astronomical Society and solar eclipses. The remaining material comprises papers, photographs and other items on a wide range of astronomical subjects.
Dates
- Creation: 1750 - 1966
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
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
Philbert Jacques Melotte (1880-1961), astronomer, was born in London on 29 January 1880, the son of Belgian immigrants. He was educated in Greenwich before joining the Royal Observatory as a supernumerary computer. He discovered the moon Jupiter VIII, known today as Pasiphae, in 1908, and the following year made the discovery of the asteroid 676 Melitta. In 1944 he served as President of the British Astronomical Association. He died on 30 March 1961.
Extent
5 archive box(es) (5 boxes) : paper/photograph/lantern slide
Language of Materials
English
French
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection is comprised of two accessions of material. The provenance of the first accession is unknown. It includes an incomplete miscellaneous series numbered 118 Misc 1-57. The second accession was deposited by Dr George H.G. Melotte in 12 August 1992, and allocated the temporary classmark TAN-112. Accompanying the collection is a list of the items in the second accession and correspondence regarding this material, including reproductions of letters and other items featured in it.
General
This description was created by Robert Steiner, Department of Manuscripts and University Archives.
Originator(s)
Melotte, Philbert Jacques
Finding aid date
2006-07-11 11:59:37+00:00
Repository Details
Part of the Cambridge University Library Repository
Cambridge University Library
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Cambridge CB3 9DR United Kingdom
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