was relegated to second place because of his lack of confidence. He later published confirming observations by Thomas Maclear. Alpha Centauri remained the nearest known star until the discovery of Proxima Centauri in 1915 by Robert T. A. Innes. Scotland In the meantime, his measurement work at the Cape had led him to be appointed the first Astronomer Royal for Scotland in 1834. The vacant chair of astronomy at the University of Edinburgh was given to him on the advice of Prime Minister Lord Melbourne. From 1834 he worked at the City Observatory (then called the Calton Hill Observatory) in Edinburgh until his death. In April, 1840 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. Henderson became a member or fellow of several distinguished societies, including the Royal Astronomical Society (1832) and the Royal Society of Edinburgh (1834). Personal life and death He married Alexander Adie's daughter Janet Mary Adie (1808–1842) in 1836 and had one daughter, Janet Mary Jane Henderson (1842–1893) who is buried in the Grange Cemetery. He died at home 1 Hillside Crescent in Edinburgh on 23 November 1844 and is buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard. The grave may be either in the grave of Alexander Adie or in a grave marked by the stone "to his memory". His name is not recorded on the Adie grave; Adie himself died 14 years after Henderson. Recognition A blue plaque is installed on his house at 1 Hillside Crescent. It refers to him as "Thomas J. A. Henderson", similar to middle names wrongly added to Wikipedia around 2007. A larger memorial (naming him "Thomas Henderson") is incorporated in the external wall of the City Observatory. Publications References External links Astronomical Society of Edinburgh - journal 38 1798 births 1844 deaths 19th-century Scottish scientists 19th-century British astronomers Scientists from Dundee People educated at the High School of Dundee Academics of the University of Edinburgh Thomas Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh Fellows of the Royal Society Fellows of the Royal Astronomical Society Scottish astronomers 19th-century Scottish lawyers 19th-century Scottish mathematicians Burials at Greyfriars Kirkyard South African astronomers