William Selwyn (astronomer) facts for kids
William Selwyn (born February 19, 1806 – died April 24, 1875) was an important person in the Church of England. He was a clergyman, which means he was a leader in the church. He also taught at Cambridge University and was interested in space as an amateur astronomer.
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William Selwyn's Life
Early Life and Family
William Selwyn was the oldest son of William Selwyn and Laetitia Kynaston. He had three brothers. One of his brothers, George Augustus Selwyn, became very famous. George was the first Anglican bishop in New Zealand. Selwyn College, Cambridge was named after him.
Education and Church Career
William Selwyn went to Eton College and then to St John's College, Cambridge. He earned several degrees there, including a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Master of Arts (MA).
He became a deacon in the Church of England in 1829 and a priest in 1831. He worked in different churches, including in Branston and Melbourn. He also became a Canon at Ely Cathedral in 1833. This meant he was a senior clergyman there. From 1855 until he died, he was also a professor at Cambridge, teaching about religion.
Astronomy Work
While at Ely, William Selwyn set up an observatory. This was a special place to watch the stars and planets. He worked with a local photographer named John Persehouse Titterton. Together, they took many pictures of the sun's surface. They did this for over ten years, from 1863 to 1874. This helped them study the sun's spots, which change over time.
Even though William Selwyn was sick for some years, his work was very important. The pictures they took were given to the Royal Greenwich Observatory. Because of his work, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1866. This is a big honor for scientists. He was recognized for using photography to record the sun's surface. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society.
Later Life and Death
William Selwyn died in 1875 when he was 69 years old. He passed away after falling from his horse. There is a monument to him inside Ely Cathedral. He was married to Juliana Elizabeth Cooke.
