Thomas Gwyn Elger

Thomas Gwyn Empy Elger (October 27, 1836 – January 9, 1897) was an English lunar mapper and the first director of the Lunar Section of the British Astronomical Association (BAA).

He was born in Bedford, where the family had been established for several generations. His father Thomas Gwyn Elger (1794–April 4, 1841) was an architect and builder. Grandfather, father and son engaged in the town politics, and all held the post of mayor.

He studied at University College London and adopted the profession of a civil engineer. He was engaged in several important works, including the Metropolitan Railway and the Severn Valley Railway. His surveys for railway construction in Holstein were put to a stop by the war with Prussia and Austria in 1864.

Soon afterwards he relinquished the active pursuit of his profession and devoted himself to scientific studies. He had developed a strong taste for astronomy already at an early age and erected his first observatory in Bedford. Elger observed with an 8.5 inch reflector. His sketches from 1884 to 1896 are now in the possession of the BAA. He is best known as a careful and indefatigable selenographer, and for this work his artistic skill eminently qualified him.

He is most remembered for his book "The Moon: A full Description and Map of its Principal Physical Features." Published in 1895, its maps are still highly regarded by lunar observers due to their uncluttered nature.

Elger was member of several astronomical associations, as the Royal Astronomical Society, the short-lived Selenographical Society and the British Astronomical Association. Besides his astronomical work, he was an ardent archaeologist and founded the Bedfordshire Natural History Society and Field Club.

He is remembered by the lunar crater Elger.

References

* Robert A. Garfinkle: "The discovery of the correct birth date for selenographer Thomas Gwyn Empy Elger", Journal of the British Astronomucal Association Vol. 116 No. 2 (April 2006) p. 76
* Obituary as Fellow of the RAS: Monthly Notices of the RAS, Vol. 57 (1897) p. 210
* [http://www.lhl.lib.mo.us/events_exhib/exhibit/exhibits/moon/p34.htm Elger, Thomas Gwyn (1838-1897)] . Accessed May 15, 2005
* [http://www.btinternet.com/~Dave.Eagle/elger.html Bedford Astronomical Society (BAS)] . Accessed May 15, 2005
* [http://www.lpod.org/archive/2004/03/LPOD-2004-03-28.htm LPOD - Lunar Photo of the Day - March 28, 2004] . Accessed May 15, 2005
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