Edmond Halley
#85369 Most Popular
About
English mathematician who is credited as being the first person to calculate the orbit of Halley's Comet. He also served as the second Astronomer Royal, a senior post in the Royal Households of the United Kingdom, in British history.
Before Fame
He was a fellow of the Royal Society after studying at Oxford University.
Trivia
He was censured by The Royal Society when he suggested that the biblical story of Noah's arc surviving a flood could have been caused by a comet. He succeeded John Flamsteed as Astronomer Royal in 1720.
Family Life
He fathered three children with Mary Tooke: Edmond, Margaret, and Richelle.
Associated With
His contemporary Sir Isaac Newton also had a comet named after him.
