Career Timeline of Harold Spencer Jones: Major Achievements and Milestones

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 25, 2026

How Harold Spencer Jones built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Sir Harold Spencer Jones was a distinguished English astronomer, renowned for his expertise in positional astronomy. Notably, he served as the tenth Astronomer Royal for an extended period of 23 years, solidifying his significant contributions to the field. His surname was initially "Jones" but later changed to "Spencer Jones". He was honored as a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) and was a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) and the Royal Society of Edinburgh (FRSE), and President of the Royal Astronomical Society (PRAS), highlighting his esteemed position within the scientific community.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1911: Graduation from Jesus College, Cambridge

In 1911, Harold Spencer Jones graduated from Jesus College, Cambridge and was awarded a postgraduate studentship. He subsequently became a Fellow of the college.

December 1913: Election to the Royal Astronomical Society

In December 1913, Spencer Jones was elected to the Royal Astronomical Society, marking an early recognition of his contributions to the field.

1914: Observation of a total solar eclipse in Minsk

In 1914, Spencer Jones traveled to Minsk, Eastern Europe, to observe a total solar eclipse. The trip occurred during peacetime, but he returned after the start of the First World War.

March 1921: Joined the British Astronomical Association

On March 30, 1921, Spencer Jones joined the British Astronomical Association, further engaging with the astronomical community.

1922: Attempted observation of a solar eclipse in Christmas Island

In 1922, Spencer Jones traveled to Christmas Island to observe a total solar eclipse, intending to verify the deflection of starlight by the Sun, as observed during the 1919 eclipse, but cloud cover interfered with the observations.

December 1923: Arrival in South Africa as His Majesty's Astronomer

In December 1923, Spencer Jones and his wife arrived in South Africa, where he assumed the role of His Majesty's Astronomer at the Cape of Good Hope, succeeding Sydney Hough.

1930: Observations of the minor planet 433 Eros

In 1930 and 1931, Spencer Jones carried out a series of observations of the minor planet 433 Eros during its close approach to Earth. These observations were used to improve the measurement of the distance between the Sun and the Earth.

1931: Observations of the minor planet 433 Eros

1933: Appointment as Astronomer Royal

In 1933, Spencer Jones succeeded Sir Frank Dyson as Astronomer Royal, marking a significant milestone in his career. Consequently, he returned to Britain to take charge of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich.

1937: President of the Royal Astronomical Society

From 1937 to 1939, Harold Spencer Jones served as president of the Royal Astronomical Society, in addition to other roles such as secretary, treasurer, and foreign secretary at different times.

1939: President of the Royal Astronomical Society

From 1937 to 1939, Harold Spencer Jones served as president of the Royal Astronomical Society, in addition to other roles such as secretary, treasurer, and foreign secretary at different times.

1939: President of the British Horological Institute

In 1939, Spencer Jones became the president of the British Horological Institute, a position he held until his death in 1960, indicating a long-standing interest in time keeping and horology.

1944: Royal Institution Christmas Lecture

In 1944, Spencer Jones was invited to deliver the Royal Institution Christmas Lecture on "Astronomy in our Daily Life".

1945: President of the International Astronomical Union

From 1945 to 1948, Spencer Jones served as president of the International Astronomical Union.

1947: First President of the Royal Institute of Navigation

In 1947, Harold Spencer Jones was elected the first President of the Royal Institute of Navigation.

1948: President of the International Astronomical Union

From 1945 to 1948, Spencer Jones served as president of the International Astronomical Union.

1948: Move to Herstmonceux

In 1948, Spencer Jones moved from Greenwich to Herstmonceux. This was part of the government agreement to move the Royal Observatory to Herstmonceux Castle in Sussex. The removal of the whole institution took another ten years due to the construction of new buildings and a lack of funding after the war.

1955: Retirement as Astronomer Royal

Harold Spencer Jones retired as Astronomer Royal at the end of 1955, marking the end of his official duties in that role.

1956: Richard Woolley succeeds Spencer Jones

In 1956, Richard Woolley succeeded Spencer Jones as Astronomer Royal and was misquoted as saying "Space travel is utter bilge".

1960: President of the British Horological Institute

Harold Spencer Jones remained the president of the British Horological Institute until his death in 1960, due to his long-standing interest in time keeping and horology.