Joseph Gurney Barclay (astronomer)
Joseph Gurney Barclay | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1816 |
| Died | 1898-04-25 |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, amateur astronomer |
| Known for | Managing Barclay & Bevan bank; founding an observatory at Knotts Green |
| Notable work | Leyton Observations (four volumes) |
Joseph Gurney Barclay FRAS (1816 – 25 April 1898) was both a banker and an amateur astronomer. He managed the Barclay & Bevan bank for more than five decades, retiring at the age of 80 when the bank transitioned into a limited company in 1896, eventually becoming part of Barclays. Additionally, he held lifelong membership in the Meteorological Society.
Biography
Barclay’s career was chiefly in banking, alongside his pursuits in astronomy as an amateur.
Early life
Following the death of his grandfather around the time of Barclay’s birth, the family moved from Clapham to Knotts Green in Leyton, East London.
Astronomical Work
In 1862, Barclay founded an observatory at Knotts Green, initially outfitted with a 7¼-inch equatorial telescope crafted by Thomas Cooke & Sons. By 1860, this instrument was enhanced to a 10-inch aperture with a focal length of 12 feet and included a 3-inch finder telescope. The observatory also featured a transit telescope made by Troughton & Simms for accurate time measurements.
To run the observatory, Barclay hired professional astronomers: Hermann Romberg served until 1864, followed by Charles George Talmage who worked there until his death in 1886. After Talmage’s passing and subsequently Barclay’s death in 1898, the principal telescope was donated to Oxford’s Radcliffe Observatory, while the transit instrument was transferred to Oxford University Observatory. Although the Radcliffe Observatory relocated to Southern Africa during the 1930s, Barclay’s Cooke telescope remained in Britain and was installed at Marlborough College Observatory.
Marriage and children
Barclay entered into two marriages: first with Mary Walker Leatham, producing two sons and one daughter; then with Margaret Exton, with whom he had Edward Exton Barclay, Francis Hubert Barclay, and Henry Albert Barclay CVO.
Religion
He was affiliated with the Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as Quakers.
Published works
Leyton Observations (four volumes).
Honours, decorations, awards and distinctions
Elected Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1855.