Robert Ball
Sir Robert Stawell Ball (1840-1913) was the Royal Astronomer of Ireland.
He obtained his BA from Trinity College, Dublin. His first job was as assistant to the amateur astronomer Lord Rosse, 1865-7. He was professor of applied mathematics and mechanism at the Royal College of Science, Dublin, 1867-74, then Andrews professor of astronomy, Dublin University, and Royal Astronomer of Ireland, 1874-92, then finally Lowndean professor of astronomy, Cambridge University until his death.
He published many books on astronomy, mostly of a popular nature, including
- The Cause of an Ice Age, 1891
- Time and Tide, 1892
- The Story of the Heavens, 1893
- Star-Land, 1895
- The Earth's Beginning, 1901
- The Story of the Sun, 1906
- A Primer of Astronomy, 1912
He was elected FRS in 1873 and knighted in 1886.