2016/06/01 by Beverley F. Ronalds · 3 citations
Physics and Astronomy · Arts and Humanities · Social Sciences · #History and Developments in Astronomy #History of Science and Natural History #Australian Indigenous Culture and History #Observatory #Reputation #Meteorology #History #Geography #Political science #Law #Astronomy #Physics
paper · doi:10.1002/wea.2739
published in Weather 71(6), 131-134 (Wiley)
openalex publication_date 2016/06/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
Sir Francis Ronalds (1788–1873) played a vital early role in the establishment of the Kew Observatory's stellar reputation in meteorology and geomagnetism. Serving as the Honorary Superintendent for its first decade, his areas of focus became longstanding features of the institution. He invented numerous instruments to institute comprehensive and long‐term measurement of meteorological parameters, atmospheric electricity and geomagnetism. He also supplied equipment around the world, trained operators in its use and compared new instruments with existing standards. Ronalds' sustained efforts and belief in Kew additionally helped to ensure its early survival.