History of Harold Spencer Jones in Timeline

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

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.

1918: Marriage to Gladys Mary Owers

In 1918, Harold Spencer Jones married Gladys Mary Owers, marking an important personal event in his life.

1919: Solar eclipse observation

In 1919, an observation was made of the deflection of light of stars by the Sun.

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.

1943: Knighthood

In 1943, Harold Spencer Jones was knighted, recognizing his contributions to astronomy.

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.

1951: The Institute's Gold Medal named in his honour

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

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.

1955: Awarded the KBE

In 1955, Harold Spencer Jones was awarded the KBE (Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire), adding to his accolades.

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".

October 1957: Skepticism About Space Travel

In October 1957, just two weeks before the launch of Sputnik 1, it is stated that Harold Spencer Jones said "space travel is bunk". While there are suggestions he may not have made that statement, it was referenced in the New Scientist magazine in 1959. His sentiments were consistent with his 1957 editorial in the same magazine, twelve years before the Apollo 11 Moon landing.

1959: Reference in New Scientist Magazine

In 1959, a quote attributed to Spencer Jones was referenced in the 17 September issue of New Scientist magazine (page 476) regarding his skepticism about space travel.

November 1960: Death of Spencer Jones

Harold Spencer Jones retired as Astronomer Royal at the end of 1955 and continued his involvement with scientific bodies. He died on November 3, 1960, at the age of 70 from cardiac arrest.

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.