History of Harold Spencer Jones in Timeline

Sir Harold Spencer Jones, an English astronomer, gained prominence as an expert in positional astronomy. Notably, he held the esteemed position of the tenth Astronomer Royal for an impressive 23-year tenure. It's worth mentioning that while his birth name was "Jones," his surname evolved to become "Spencer Jones."

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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.

December 1913: Elected to the Royal Astronomical Society

In December 1913, Spencer Jones was elected to the Royal Astronomical Society.

1914: Travel to Minsk for Solar Eclipse Observation

In 1914, Spencer Jones travelled to Minsk to observe a total solar eclipse, departing during peacetime and returning after the start of World War I.

1918: Marriage to Gladys Mary Owers

In 1918, Spencer Jones married Gladys Mary Owers.

1919: Attempt to verify deflection of light of stars by the Sun

In 1919, Spencer Jones attempted to verify the deflection of the light of stars by the Sun during a total solar eclipse, but cloud defeated the attempts.

March 1921: Joined the British Astronomical Association

On March 30, 1921, Spencer Jones joined the British Astronomical Association.

1922: Expedition to Christmas Island

In 1922, Spencer Jones travelled to Christmas Island to observe a total solar eclipse, but cloud cover prevented him from verifying the deflection of starlight by the Sun.

December 1923: Arrival in South Africa

In December 1923, Spencer Jones and his wife arrived in South Africa, after he was appointed as His Majesty's Astronomer at the Cape of Good Hope.

1930: Observations of 433 Eros

In 1930, Spencer Jones began a series of observations of the minor planet 433 Eros during its close approach to Earth.

1931: Observations of 433 Eros

In 1931, Spencer Jones continued a series of observations of the minor planet 433 Eros during its close approach to Earth.

1933: Appointment as Astronomer Royal

In 1933, Spencer Jones succeeded Sir Frank Dyson as Astronomer Royal and returned to Britain to take charge of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich.

1937: President of the Royal Astronomical Society

From 1937 to 1939, Spencer Jones served as president of the Royal Astronomical Society.

1939: End of presidency at the Royal Astronomical Society

In 1939 Spencer Jones completed his term as president of the Royal Astronomical Society.

1939: President of the British Horological Institute

In 1939, Spencer Jones served as president of the British Horological Institute.

1943: Knighted

In 1943, Spencer Jones was knighted.

1944: Royal Institution Christmas Lecture

In 1944, Spencer Jones delivered the Royal Institution Christmas Lecture on Astronomy in our Daily Life.

1945: President of the International Astronomical Union

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

1947: First President of the Royal Institute of Navigation

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

1948: End of presidency at the International Astronomical Union

In 1948 Spencer Jones completed his term as president of the International Astronomical Union.

1948: Move to Herstmonceux

In 1948, Spencer Jones moved from Greenwich to Herstmonceux, as part of the relocation of the Royal Observatory.

1951: Gold Medal named in his honor

In 1951, the Royal Institute of Navigation's highest award, the Gold Medal, was named in Spencer Jones' honor.

1955: Retirement as Astronomer Royal

At the end of 1955, Spencer Jones retired as Astronomer Royal.

1955: Awarded the KBE

In 1955, Spencer Jones was awarded the KBE (Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire).

1956: Richard Woolley becomes Astronomer Royal

In 1956, Richard Woolley succeeded Spencer Jones as Astronomer Royal.

October 1957: Controversial statement about space travel

In October 1957, just two weeks before the launch of Sputnik 1, Spencer Jones allegedly made a statement that "space travel is bunk", although the accuracy of this quote is disputed. His sentiment was consistent with a 1957 editorial in New Scientist magazine where he wrote about space flight, twelve years before the Apollo 11 landing on the Moon.