Astronomer Royal

Astronomer Royal was originally the title of the director of the [Royal Greenwich Observatory]?, but since 1972 it has simply been an honorary title.

[John Flamsteed]? became the first Astronomer Royal when the Royal Greenwich Observatory was founded in 1675. The complete list of Astronomers Royal is given in the table below.

[John Flamsteed]? 1675? - 1719?

[Edmond Halley]? 1720 - 1742

[James Bradley]? 1742 - 1762

[Nathaniel Bliss]? 1762 - 1764

[Nevil Maskelyne]? 1765 - 1811

[John Pond]? 1811 - 1835

[George Biddell Airy]? 1835 - 1881

[William H.M. Christie]? 1881 - 1910

[Frank Watson Dyson]? 1910 - 1933

[Harold Spencer Jones]? 1933 - 1955

[Richard van der Riet Woolley]? 1956 - 1971

[Martin Ryle]? 1972 - 1982

[Francis Graham Smith]? 1982 - 1990

[Arnold Wolfendale]? 1991 - 1995

[Martin Rees]? 1995 -