ASTRONOMICAL
SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
WOOLEY VAN DER RIET, Richard [Sir]
Professional Astronomer
Photo Gallery: Wooley
Index:
Astronomer Royal of England.
Director of South African Astronomical Observatory, S.A.A.O.
Summary:
Sir Richard became the Astronomer Royale of England between 1956 - 1971. He was the last person to combine the post of Astronomer Royale, as well as Director of the Royale Greenwich Observatory. After him the posts were split.
Sir Richard, on his retirement as Astronomer Royale of England, aged 65, became the first Director of S.A.A.O. Although he was very active, his astronomy was a bit old fashioned and he was not very enthusiastic about new ideas. [Glass] He favoured Cambridge trained English personnel and disliked amateurs intensely.
Career:
M Sc University of Cape Town.
Ph D Cambridge University.
Chief Assistant at the Royal Observatory Greenwich.
1937 - 1939: First Assistant Observer Cambridge.
1939 - 1956: Director Commonwealth Observatory at Mount Stromlo in Australia.
1956 - 1971: Astronomer Royale of England.
1971: Retire as Astronomer Royale.
1971 - 1976: Became the first Director of the South African Astronomical Observatory.
Personal:
Woolley was a good tennis and cricket player.
Wooley never had any children of his own. He was however very popular amongst children. [Personal communication with Greg Roberts]
1986: December 24: Died (80 years)
Link to the Telescope Manufacturers.
Link to the Main Bibliography Section and more information about Sources.
Bibliography:
Glass I.S., Early Days at S.A.A.O., MNASSA, Vol. 60, Nos. 1 & 2,
Moore, P. & Collins, P., Astronomy in Southern Africa, p.21; pp.86 - 91. (General Source)
Smits, P., A Brief History of Astronomy in Southern Africa. (Unpublished)
The South African Astronomical Observatory, p.2.
(Publication of SAAO, no author, no date)
By van der Riet Woolley:
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