Thomas Glanville Taylor facts for kids

Thomas Glanville Taylor (born November 22, 1804 – died May 4, 1848) was an English astronomer. He is best known for his important work at the Madras Observatory in India. There, he created the famous Madras Catalogue of Stars between 1831 and 1839. This catalogue was a huge help for sailors and mapmakers.

The Madras Observatory around 1838

Who Was Thomas Taylor?

Thomas Glanville Taylor was born in Ashburton, Devon, England. His father, also named Thomas Taylor, worked at the Royal Greenwich Observatory. This is a very famous place for studying stars.

Early Life and Training

When Thomas was young, John Pond, who was the Astronomer Royal at the time, suggested he become an astronomer. Thomas joined the Royal Greenwich Observatory in 1820. By August 1822, he was already in charge of making important observations of how stars move across the sky. His skills were quickly noticed by others. He also helped with another star catalogue project by Stephen Groombridge.

Working in India

In 1830, Thomas Taylor was chosen to lead the East India Company's observatory in Madras, India. He arrived there on September 15, 1830. He brought new tools with him, like special telescopes. He worked with four Indian assistants who helped him make observations. They even continued the work when he was away helping with the Great Trigonometrical Survey.

Taylor also worked with John Caldecott from the Travancore observatory. Together, they studied Earth's magnetic field around 1837. They were especially interested in the magnetic equator.

Later Years and Legacy

Thomas Taylor became a member of important groups like the Royal Astronomical Society and the Royal Society. He also helped set up another observatory in India, at Doddabetta in Ootacamund.

Sadly, Thomas Taylor became ill with tuberculosis. He went back to England in 1848 to visit his daughter, who was also sick. His daughter passed away in April, and he died a month later in Southampton. After his death, William Stephen Jacob took over his role at the Madras Observatory.

What Did Thomas Taylor Achieve?

Thomas Taylor's most important work was creating the Madras General Catalogue of Stars. This huge list of stars was highly praised by Sir George Airy, another famous astronomer.

Importance of His Star Catalogues

His star catalogues were very important for several reasons:

• Navigation: Sailors used them to find their way across the oceans. By knowing the exact positions of stars, they could figure out their ship's location.
• Mapping: The catalogues helped mapmakers in the Trigonometrical Survey. They used the star positions to accurately determine longitude and latitude on land. This made maps much more precise.

Thomas Taylor's Family Life

Thomas Taylor married Eliza Baratty on July 4, 1832. She was the daughter of Colonel Eley. They had three sons and one daughter together.