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A tribute to Sir George Biddell Airy written in German, 27 July 1881.
A tribute, in German and dated 27 July 1881, from 'Der Vorstand der Astronomischen Gesellschaft' (the Board of the Astronomical Society) to George Airy, commemorating his work as Astronomer Royal.
An approximate translation of the text (starting from the second paragraph) follows:
The Board cannot allow this day to pass without expressing to you the venerable emotion with which it is witnessing the end of an era that, in length of service has only once been matched, however, stands unique and incomparable in wealth of fruitful work among the natural periods of history of the Greenwich Observatory.
How you comprehended the task in accordance with the society splendidly and comprehensively, how you organised the adaptation of the former skilfully and effectively, how you uniformly competent of the exploration of the depths..[..]..to search in intellectual activity at liberty in the evenings.
May these twilight years be long and friendly like the evenings of this summertime, happy and just like the thankfulness and admiration that we hold for you is a universal, sincere and heartfelt one.
27th July 1881
The Board of the Astronomical Society
The Chair by proxy: [name unclear]
The Secretaries: [two names, unclear]
Sir George Biddell Airy
Astronomer Royal
Greenwich
Administrative / biographical background
Sir George Biddell Airy was a mathematician and astronomer. He was a Professor at Cambridge University before being appointed the Astronomer Royal in 1835, a position he held for 46 years until his retirement in 1881. His achievements include the Airy Transit Circle telescope which defined the Prime Meridian at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, on which GMT is based.
An approximate translation of the text (starting from the second paragraph) follows:
The Board cannot allow this day to pass without expressing to you the venerable emotion with which it is witnessing the end of an era that, in length of service has only once been matched, however, stands unique and incomparable in wealth of fruitful work among the natural periods of history of the Greenwich Observatory.
How you comprehended the task in accordance with the society splendidly and comprehensively, how you organised the adaptation of the former skilfully and effectively, how you uniformly competent of the exploration of the depths..[..]..to search in intellectual activity at liberty in the evenings.
May these twilight years be long and friendly like the evenings of this summertime, happy and just like the thankfulness and admiration that we hold for you is a universal, sincere and heartfelt one.
27th July 1881
The Board of the Astronomical Society
The Chair by proxy: [name unclear]
The Secretaries: [two names, unclear]
Sir George Biddell Airy
Astronomer Royal
Greenwich
Administrative / biographical background
Sir George Biddell Airy was a mathematician and astronomer. He was a Professor at Cambridge University before being appointed the Astronomer Royal in 1835, a position he held for 46 years until his retirement in 1881. His achievements include the Airy Transit Circle telescope which defined the Prime Meridian at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, on which GMT is based.
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Record Details
| Item reference: | HSR/Z/44/2; ZBA1201 W1972-29 W1972-79 |
|---|---|
| Catalogue Section: | Manuscript documents acquired singly by the Museum |
| Level: | ITEM |
| Extent: | Overall: 527 mm x 445 mm x 17 mm |
| Date made: | 1881-07-27; 1881 |
| Credit: | National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London, Airy Collection |
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- List of Cambridge University students awarded honours in 1823, including George Airy. (Manuscript) (HSR/Z/44/1)
- A tribute to Sir George Biddell Airy written in German, 27 July 1881. (Manuscript) (HSR/Z/44/2)
- Birthday card from the Royal Observatory Greenwich to Sir George Biddell Airy on his 90th birthday, 27 July 1891. (Manuscript) (HSR/Z/44/3)
- Certificate from the Society of Trinity Youths to Sir George Biddell Airy on his 90th Birthday, 27 July 1891, to commemorate the peal of bells from Greenwich. (Manuscript) (HSR/Z/44/4)
- Certificate to Sir Geroge Biddell Airy, 1891. (certificate) (HSR/Z/44/5)
- Certificate to Miss Christabel Airy, March 1911. (Manuscript) (HSR/Z/44/6)
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