Essential information
| Type | Talks and tours |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Date and times | Thursday 26 March 2026 | 6.30-8.15pm |
| Prices | Adult: £15 | Member: £12 |
| Discount for Members. Not a Member? Join now |
At this special evening event at the National Maritime Museum, authors Dr Louise Devoy and Dr Lee MacDonald will give an overview of their recently published books about the history of the Royal Observatory.
This will be followed by an ‘in conversation’ discussion of common themes and shared reflections on the rich history of this unique site of scientific heritage.
After the discussion there will be a book signing and drinks will be served. Your ticket includes one glass of wine or a soft drink.
The books will be available to purchase at a special event-only discounted price.
About the books and authors
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The Royal Observatory, Greenwich, 1881–1939: Astronomy, astronomers and heritage in a changing world by Lee T. Macdonald
UCL Press, 2026
Between the late nineteenth century and the outbreak of the Second World War, astronomy underwent a radical change, from a science centred on the positional measurement of stars to the study of astrophysics and the Universe. This book tells the story of the Royal Observatory at Greenwich from 1881 to 1939, charting a hitherto under-researched period of its history and bringing its management to life.
Using a wealth of primary-source research in the Royal Observatory’s archives and elsewhere, Lee T. Macdonald describes and analyses how the Observatory, originally founded in 1675 to tackle the problem of finding longitude at sea, branched out into areas at the cutting edge of astronomical research, including photographic mapping of the sky and the study of solar eclipses. He shows how the Observatory remained committed to the traditional missions in navigational and positional astronomy, and how its work became increasingly challenged by the growth of London, culminating in relocation. The story is a valuable exemplar of how a working observatory gradually transformed into a heritage institution, which thrives to this day.
The Royal Observatory, Greenwich, 1881–1939 will be essential reading for astronomers and historians of science, and important for heritage professionals, particularly those working in historic scientific institutions.
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Dr Lee Macdonald
Dr Lee Macdonald is Librarian and Archivist at the History of Science Museum, University of Oxford. His first academic monograph, Kew Observatory and the Evolution of Victorian Science 1840-1910 (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2018) was based on his PhD thesis, awarded by the University of Leeds in 2015. From 2020 to 2022, he held one of two Royal Museums Greenwich two-year research fellowships, which he used to research The Royal Observatory, Greenwich, 1881–1939. He has published widely in academic journals and popular magazines. A long-time amateur astronomer, he is the author of How to Observe the Sun Safely (Second Edition, Springer, 2012).
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Royal Observatory Greenwich: A History in Objects by Louise Devoy
Royal Observatory Greenwich, 2025
At the heart of international timekeeping and navigation stands the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, a place where science and innovation intersected to shape the modern world. Today, as the home of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and the historic prime meridian, 0° longitude, it is an institution of international renown.
Louise Devoy explores the rich legacy of this famous site through 100 fascinating objects. Alongside the Observatory’s clocks, telescopes, journals and instruments are family photos, paintings and even a bespoke observing suit that reveal the domestic world of the Astronomer Royal.
From the intricacy of John Harrison’s revolutionary timekeepers to the impressive scale of the Great Equatorial Telescope, each item demonstrates the Observatory’s achievements in pioneering astronomy, innovative engineering, accurate time distribution and collaborative scientific projects. Together they chart the development of the Observatory from its founding in 1675 to its growing influence on travel, trade and communication that continues to underpin our lives today.
Published in the Royal Observatory’s 350th year, this book is a celebration of the people, instruments and ideas that made Greenwich a place of global significance.
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Dr Louise Devoy
Dr Louise Devoy is Senior Curator of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. Louise has a background in astrophysics and the history of science and has worked at various museums in the UK and abroad. She has contributed to exhibitions such as Cosmos and Culture (Science Museum, 2009), Observatory Life (Royal Observatory, Greenwich, 2016) and The Moon (National Maritime Museum, 2019). Her research interests include astronomical instruments, women in astronomy and networks of knowledge exchange between historic observatories.
Over the past five years Louise has delved into the archives and museum stores to choose 100 objects and their stories for her book, Royal Observatory Greenwich: A History in Objects, published to celebrate the Observatory’s 350th anniversary in 2025.
What’s on
More talks and tours at Royal Museums Greenwich.
