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Sir Robert Stawell Ball

(1840-1913), Astronomer and mathematician

Sitter in 8 portraits
Robert Stawell Ball was an astronomer, mathematician, and writer of popular science books. In 1865, Lord Rosse asked Ball to be his children's tutor. He agreed on condition that he could use Rosse's reflector which was, at the time, the largest in the world. While working for Rosse Ball made many observations of nebulae. In 1867, he was appointed to a post in the Royal College of Science, Dublin, and in 1874 became Royal Astronomer of Ireland. He was Lowdean Professor of Astronomy at Cambridge from 1892 until his death. Ball wrote a series of books of popular astronomy, as well as more learned works such as his Treatise on Spherical Astronomy (1885) and Treatise on the Theory of Screws (1900).

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Sir Robert Stawell Ball

by Harry Furniss
pen and ink, 1880s-1900s
NPG 3417

Sir Robert Stawell Ball

by Sir Leslie Ward
watercolour, published in Vanity Fair 13 April 1905
NPG 4544

Sir Robert Stawell Ball

by W. & D. Downey, published by Cassell & Company, Ltd
carbon print, published 1891
NPG Ax15903

Sir Robert Stawell Ball

by W. & D. Downey, published by Cassell & Company, Ltd
carbon print, published 1891
NPG x193

Sir Robert Stawell Ball

by Mayall & Co, published by Eglington & Co
carbon print, published 1893
NPG Ax27659

Sir Robert Stawell Ball

published by Ogden's
cigarette card, published circa 1894-1907
NPG x197216

Sir Robert Stawell Ball

by Elliott & Fry
chlorobromide print on cream card mount, 1900
NPG x127406

Sir Robert Stawell Ball ('Men of the Day. No. 949. '"popular Astronomy" - Jehu Junior'')

by Sir Leslie Ward
chromolithograph, published in Vanity Fair 13 April 1905
NPG D45270

Related People

Mary Agnetta (née Ball), Lady Barcroft (daughter)

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Sir Robert Stawell Ball