sphere, considering atmospheric refraction and aberration of light, and introducing basic use of a generalised instrument. His work, The Story of the Heavens, is mentioned in the "Ithaca" chapter of Ulysses. His lectures, articles and books (e.g. Starland and The Story of the Heavens) were mostly popular and simple in style. Death He died in Cambridge and was buried at the Parish of the Ascension Burial Ground in Cambridge, with his wife, Lady Francis Elizabeth Ball. Their children were: Frances Amelia, Robert Steele, William Valentine (later Sir), Mary Agnetta, Charles Rowan Hamilton, and Randall Gresley (later Colonel). Reminiscences and Letters of Sir Robert Ball by his son W.V. Ball was published in 1915 by Cassell & Company. Minor planet 4809 Robertball is named in his honor. He was the 38th President of the Birmingham and Midland Institute, which holds The Sir Robert Ball Library, the library of The Society for the History of Astronomy. Lectures Ball became celebrated for his popular lectures on science. He gave an estimated 2500 lectures between 1875 and 1910 in towns and cities across Britain and Ireland. In 1881, 1887, 1892, 1898 and 1900 he was invited to deliver the Royal Institution Christmas Lecture, Astronomy; Astronomy and Great Chapters from the Book of Nature. During the Lent term of 1900, he gave a lecture entitled The Eternal Stars to the Junior School section of Monkton Combe School in Combe Down, which was reported in the school magazine, The Magpie, 2 March 1900. Arms References External links G.L. Herries-Davies Sir R.S. Ball from Trinity College, Dublin Discoveries, klima-luft.de. Accessed 19 December 2022. Sir Robert Ball Library, societyforthehistoryofastronomy.com. Accessed 19 December 2022. 1840 births 1913 deaths Academics of Trinity College Dublin Alumni of Trinity College Dublin Directors of Dunsink Observatory Fellows of the Royal Society Knights Bachelor Irish astronomers Lowndean Professors of Astronomy and Geometry Scientists from Dublin (city) Presidents of the Royal Astronomical Society Scholars of Trinity College Dublin