Astronomer Royal
Astronomer Royal is an honorary title held by a prominent British astronomer, created in 1675 by King Charles II when the Royal Greenwich Observatory was founded. Before 1971, the Astronomer Royal was also director of the Royal Observatory, but after that year these became separate appointments. The title of Astronomer Royal for Scotland was created in 1834 and held by the director of the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, until 1995 when the appointments were separated.
| The Astronomers Royal | ||
|---|---|---|
| name | lived | served |
| John Flamsteed | 1646–1719 | 1675–1719 |
| Edmond Halley | 1656–1742 | 1720–1742 |
| James Bradley | 1693–1762 | 1742–1762 |
| Nathaniel Bliss | 1700–1764 | 1762–1764 |
| Nevil Maskelyne | 1732–1811 | 1765–1811 |
| James Pond | 1767–1836 | 1811–1835 |
| George Biddell Airy | 1801–1892 | 1835–1881 |
| William Henry Mahoney Christie | 1845–1922 | 1884–1910 |
| Frank Watson Dyson | 1868–1939 | 1910–1933 |
| Harold Spencer Jones | 1890–1960 | 1933–1955 |
| Richard van der Riet Woolley | 1906–1986 | 1956–1971 |
| Martin Ryle | 1918–1984 | 1972–1982 |
| Francis Graham-Smith | 1923– | 1982–1990 |
| Arnold W. Wolfendale | 1927– | 1990–1995 |
| Martin Rees | 1942– | 1995– |
