George Lynn (astronomer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
George, The Elder Lynn
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| Born | 1676 |
| Died | 1742 |
George Lynn, the Elder (born 1676, died 1742) was a smart English scientist. He was an astronomer, who studied stars and planets. He was also an antiquary, meaning he studied old things and history. George Lynn was born at Southwick House, near Oundle, in Northamptonshire, England.
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Lynn's Early Life and Family
George Lynn was the son of George Lynn, who passed away in 1681. His family owned the manor of Southwick. His mother was Mary, the oldest daughter of Walter Johnston. George also had a younger brother named Walter Lynn. Walter became a medical writer and an inventor.
Lynn's Work as an Astronomer
George Lynn loved to watch the sky. He used a very long telescope, about 13 feet (4 meters) long! With this telescope, he carefully watched the eclipses of Jupiter's moons. He made these observations from his home in Southwick between 1724 and 1726, and again from 1730 to 1735.
He shared his findings with the Royal Society, a famous group of scientists. In 1726, he also told them about a beautiful aurora borealis (Northern Lights) he saw. In 1727, he suggested a new way to figure out a ship's exact location (called "longitude") by watching "falling stars" (meteors).
George Lynn also kept detailed weather records for 14 years. He shared these with the Royal Society in 1740. He even saw 21 sunspots on the Sun in one day, July 21, 1736.
Lynn's Interest in History
Besides astronomy, George Lynn was very interested in history. In 1719, he joined the Spalding Society, a group that studied old things. He gave them a large table of logarithms, which are special math tools he created.
In 1736, he helped start another group called The Brazen-Nose Society. This group was in Stamford, Lincolnshire. Around the same time, he made an exciting discovery. Near his home in Cotterstock, he found the beautiful tiled floor of an ancient Roman villa. He drew a picture of it, and this drawing was later made into an engraving for the Society of Antiquaries.
Lynn's Family Life
George Lynn was married to Elizabeth Bellamy. They had two daughters and one son, also named George. His son, George the younger, shared his father's love for old things and history.
George Lynn the younger (1707–1758) became a lawyer. Like his father, he joined the Spalding Society in 1723 and the Society of Antiquaries in 1726. He married the daughter of Sir Edward Bellamy in 1734. Sir Edward was the mayor of London in 1735. Through this marriage, George the younger gained ownership of the manor of Frinton in Essex.
George Lynn the younger passed away in 1758. A beautiful monument, made by a famous sculptor named Roubiliac, was built for him in the church at Southwick.
