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William E. Wilson (1851-1908) - The Work and Family of a Westmeath Astronomer
Wilson was a wealthy gentleman who could afford to indulge his hobby of Astronomy. He was attracted to this subject when, as a teenager, he took part in the Total Eclipse Expedition to Algeria in 1870. He set up a well-equipped private Observatory at Daramona House in Streete, County Westmeath. His contributions to Astronomy included: The first fairly accurate estimate of the temperature of the Sun's visible surface; the first photo-electric measurements of the brightness of stars; a series of superb celestial photographs with a 24-inch Grubb reflector; The first use of cinematography in solar physics; One of the first to suggest that radio-activity might keep the stars shining. The book covers all these initiatives and much more. Wilson, though he never attended university, was elected to Fellowship of the (London) Royal Society and received an honorary doctorate from Dublin University. But the book covers his family and life style, with brief biographies of his contemporary scientific colleagues. The book is well illustrated with family and astronomical photographs. It is written for the 'educated layman', and no knowledge of Astronomy (or indeed science) is required.
