James Hamilton (priest, born 1748) facts for kids

James Archibald Hamilton (1748–1815) was an Irish priest and astronomer. He was born in Athlone, Co. Westmeath, Ireland. He is famous for his important work in astronomy, especially at the Armagh Observatory.

Early Life and Education

James Archibald Hamilton was born in 1748. His mother was Jane Girardot, and his father was Colonel Gustavus Hamilton. Sadly, his father passed away in 1754 when James was only six years old. After his father's death, James moved from Athlone.

He attended the Royal School, Armagh, and later went to Trinity College, Dublin in 1765. While at Trinity College, he became very interested in astronomy and science. He finished his studies and earned his first degree in 1769.

James Hamilton married Jane Bunbury. They had two daughters named Harriet and Jane.

Becoming an Astronomer and Priest

In 1776, James Hamilton became a rector (a type of priest) in Kildress, Co. Armagh. He was also very passionate about astronomy. He built his own observatory in Cookstown, Co. Tyrone. This observatory had special tools like an achromatic telescope and instruments to measure time accurately.

He was a member of the Royal Irish Academy, a group that promotes learning and science in Ireland. In 1782, he made important observations of a rare event called the "transit of Mercury." This is when the planet Mercury passes directly in front of the Sun. His observations were so good that they were considered better than those made at the famous Greenwich Observatory in England!

Leading the Armagh Observatory

In 1784, James Hamilton became the treasurer of the Diocese of Armagh and rector of Creggan. Around this time, he also earned more degrees in divinity from Trinity College.

With the help of Archbishop Richard Robinson, a very important church leader, Hamilton began to set up a new observatory in Armagh. He bought special equipment for it, including an equatorial transit instrument from London.

On July 31, 1790, he was officially named the astronomer and keeper of the new Armagh Observatory and its museum. This observatory was created by an act of Parliament, showing how important it was considered.

Work at Armagh Observatory

James Hamilton officially started his work at Armagh Observatory in 1793. His first recorded observation was on July 18, 1793.

Even after his patron, Archbishop Robinson, passed away in 1794, Hamilton continued his work. He managed to get more excellent equipment for the observatory. This included a telescope by Dollond, a large reflector telescope by William Herschel (a famous astronomer), and very accurate clocks by Thomas Earnshaw. Earnshaw's clocks were so good that Hamilton's references helped him win a share of the "longitude prize" for accurate timekeeping at sea.

With the help of his assistants, especially Robert Hogg, Hamilton regularly made observations. He also wrote articles about his astronomical findings in The Transactions of the Royal Irish Academy. He worked closely with other astronomers and observatories, like Dunsink Observatory in Dublin. He even used his own money to keep the observatory running and to continue Archbishop Robinson's dream of a permanent scientific and educational center in northern Ireland.

In 1800, he wrote a book called An Astronomical Introduction to the Study of Geography. This book was meant to be used in schools.

In September 1804, Hamilton received his final and most important church position: dean of Cloyne. He continued to work at Armagh Observatory until he passed away there on November 21, 1815, at the age of 66. He was buried in Mullabrack.