William Robert Brooks (June 11, 1844 – May 3, 1921) was a British-born American astronomer, mainly noted as being one of the most prolific discoverers of new comets of all time, second only to Jean-Louis Pons.

Early life

William Robert Brooks was born in Maidstone, England, the son of Caroline (née Wickings) and William Brooks, a Baptist minister who emigrated to Marion, New York. He developed his interest in astronomy during a boyhood voyage to Australia, when he observed a navigator making measurements with a sextant. The following year, he built his very first telescope at the age of 14. Brooks had a good knowledge of lens construction, and was able to design and make his own telescopes, taking years to grind and polish the necessary lenses and reflectors.

Comet discoveries

After marrying Mary E. Smith in 1870, Brooks moved to Phelps where he discovered his first comet in 1881 at the Red House Observatory, which happened to be his own observatory that harbored telescopes of his own construction.

Brooks observed 16 novel comets at The Smith Observatory in Geneva, New York. the International Jury at the St. Louis Exhibition, the Astronomical Society of Mexico, and the Lalande Medal of the French Academy of Sciences in 1899. Brooks was elected a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1888. The Warner Prize was also awarded to Brooks for his specific comet discovers in the following years: 1883, 1885, 1886, and 1887. Towards the end of this life, he was appointed a Professor and Honorary Doctor of Science by Hobart College.

Minor planet 2773 Brooks is named in his honor.

Death

While working extensively through the night to photograph an approaching comet, Brooks fell in February 1921. He was bedridden at home for several months following, until he passed on May 3 in Geneva, New York. William Robert Brooks is buried in Glenwood Cemetery in Geneva, New York.

Following his death, Hobart College released this statement on May 12: "In the death of William Robert Brooks, Hobart College has suffered a distinct loss... It will be a long time before Hobart in every respect will be able to reconcile itself to the loss of our late professor, who for more than twenty years gave to her the fruit of his many years of study and research."

References

  • Smith Observatory.org Website featuring the history and current status of the Smith Observatory in Geneva, NY