Stephen Demainbray facts for kids
Stephen Charles Triboudet Demainbray (born 1710, died 1782) was a smart English scientist and astronomer. He was in charge of the King's Observatory in Richmond, near London, from 1768 until he passed away. He was also known as the King's Astronomer.
Early Life and Learning
Stephen Demainbray was born in London in 1710. His parents were Charles Stephen Demainbray and Mary. His father had moved to England from France because of a big change called the Edict of Nantes being cancelled. Sadly, his father died soon after Stephen was born.
Stephen was raised by his uncle, Captain Peter Demainbray. His uncle sent him to Westminster School. There, Stephen learned from a teacher named Dr Desaguliers. Dr Desaguliers taught him mathematics and natural philosophy. Natural philosophy was an old name for what we now call science, like physics and astronomy. After Westminster School, Stephen went to Leiden University in the Netherlands to continue his studies.
His Work and Discoveries
From 1740 to 1742, Demainbray gave lectures in Edinburgh. He taught about experimental philosophy, which meant doing science experiments to learn new things.
In 1745, there was a big event called the 1745 Jacobite Rising. This was a time when some people tried to put a different king on the throne of Britain. Demainbray joined the government's army for four years. He even volunteered to fight in the Battle of Prestonpans.
After this, in 1746, he went back to giving lectures. He also studied how electricity affected plants. Three years later, he started traveling around Britain and Europe. He gave lectures in places like Dublin and Paris.
In 1753, the Prince of Wales, who later became King George III, invited Demainbray to London. The Duke of York also invited him. Demainbray returned to England in 1755. He gave public lectures and also taught members of the royal family, including the future King George III.
In 1768, King George III asked Demainbray to become the Superintendent of the King's Observatory in Richmond. This observatory was a special building for studying stars and planets. King George III had asked Sir William Chambers to design it. Demainbray was also known as the King's Astronomer.
One important event Demainbray helped with was the Transit of Venus on June 3, 1769. This is when the planet Venus passes directly in front of the Sun. Demainbray made sure King George III could watch this rare event. He stayed in this important job until he passed away on February 20, 1782. His assistant, James Stephen Rigaud, later married Demainbray's daughter, Mary.
Family Life
Stephen Demainbray was married twice. His first wife was Mary Worsham. They got married in London in 1726. They had five children, but only their daughter Mary lived to be an adult. Mary later married James Stephen Rigaud.
In 1755, Demainbray married his second wife, Sarah Horne. She was the sister of a famous person named John Horne Tooke. Stephen and Sarah had four more children, including a son named Stephen George Francis Triboudet Demainbray.
What He Left Behind
After Demainbray passed away, his scientific tools were combined with the King's own collection. These tools were first given to King's College London. Then, in 1927, they were moved to the Science Museum in London. This means his important instruments are still available for people to see and learn from today.
