Flamsteed , John , 1646-1719 , astronomer

Born, 1646; Education: Derby School; Jesus College, Cambridge; MA (Lit. Reg. 1674)
Career: Left school because of an attack of rheumatism (1662); travelled to Ireland in search of a cure; went to London (1670) where he met Henry Oldenburg (FRS date) and Sir Jonas Moore (FRS date), who became his patron; ordained (1675); first Astronomer Royal (1675-1719), he used his own instruments, which were removed by his widow after his death; Vicar of Burstow, Surrey (1684); a perfectionist, he was reluctant to publish his observations unless they were perfect, which led to conflict with Newton and Halley. On 12 December 1709 Queen Anne appointed a Board of Visitors of the Royal Observatory made up of the President and Council of the Royal Society, authorizing them to demand a copy of each year's observations, to direct what observations should be made, and to examine the observatory's instruments. Flamsteed's vigorous objections and refusal to co-operate further on the publication of his star catalogue and observations led to an incomplete version being published by Halley in 1712, which he condemned. After the accession of George I Flamsteed was able to buy up 300 of Halley's unsold copies, and after removing the sextant observations which he had previously approved and reserving some copies to display their errors, he burnt the rest. His observations were published to his very high standards posthumously in 1725 edited by his wife Margaret, and his 'Atlas Coelestis' in 1729, where the editor was again his wife with Crosthwait and Sharp responsible for the technical side; died, 1719.