The dates illustrate the period served as Astronomer Royal. All images are © National Maritime Museum.

John Flamsteed, 1st Astronomer Royal from 1675-1719	Edmond Halley,  2nd Astronomer Royal  from 1720-42
Rev. James Bradley, 3rd Astronomer Royal from 1742-62	Nathaniel Bliss, 4th Astronomer Royal from 1762–64
Rev. Nevil Maskelyne, 5th Astronomer Royal from 1765-1811	John Pond, 6th Astronomer Royal from 1811-35 (no image available)
Sir George Biddell Airy, KCB, 7th Astronomer Royal from 1835-81	Sir William Christie, 8th Astronomer Royal from 1881-1910
Sir Frank Dyson, KBE, 9th Astronomer Royal from 1910-33	Sir Harold Spencer Jones, KBE, 10th Astronomer Royal from 1933-55
Sir Richard van der Riet Woolley, 11th Astronomer Royal from 1956-71	Professor Sir Martin Ryle, 12th Astronomer Royal from 1972-82
Professor Sir Francis Graham Smith, 13th Astronomer Royal from 1982-90	Sir Arnold Wolfendale, 14th Astronomer Royal from 1991-95
Professor Sir Martin Rees, 15th Astronomer Royal from 1995

In the 1970s the role of running the Observatory was made separate from the other duties of Astronomer Royal and a new position of Director was introduced. The last three portraits here are of the Observatory's Directors. Graham-Smith went on to become the 13th Astronomer Royal in 1982.

Burbidge (1972-73)	Hunter (1973-75)
Graham-Smith (1976-81)