title: Edmond Halley: Great Astronomers
author: Robert Stawell Ball
description: Sir Robert Stawell Ball FRS (July 1, 1840  November 25, 1913) was an Irish astronomer who founded the screw theory. He was the son of naturalist Robert Ball and Amelia Gresley Hellicar. He was born in Dublin. Ball worked for Lord Rosse from 1865 to 1867. In 1867 he became Professor of Applied Mathematics at the Royal College of Science in Dublin. There he lectured on mechanics and published an elementary account of the science. In 1874 Ball was appointed Royal Astronomer of Ireland and Andrews Professor of Astronomy in the University of Dublin at Dunsink Observatory. In 1908 he published A Treatise on Spherical Astronomy, which is a textbook on astronomy starting from spherical trigonometry and the celestial sphere, considering atmospheric refraction and aberration of light, and introducing basic use of a generalised instrument.
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  # Great Astronomers: James Bradley
  
  
  ## Robert Stawell Ball
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  **Published:**
  
  
  1907  
  
  
  **Categorie(s):**
  
  
  Non-Fiction, Biography & autobiography, Science & Technology, Science and
  Technics, Science, Astronomy  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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  **About Ball:**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  **Robert Stawell Ball, astronomer and mathematician, was born in Dublin in
  1840. He was educated at Trinity College Dublin where he was a distinguished
  student, winning many prizes. After being assistant astronomer and tutor at
  Birr Castle from 1865 to 1867 he was appointed Professor of Applied
  Mathematics at the Royal College of Science in Dublin. His excellent lectures
  on Experimental Mechanics were published in 1871.**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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  **In 1874 Ball was appointed Royal Astronomer of Ireland and Andrews Professor
  of Astronomy in the University of Dublin at Dunsink Observatory. He became
  Lowndean Professor of Astronomy and Geometry at Cambridge University in
  1892.**
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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