Robert L. J. Ellery, his Life and Times

To present-day astronomers the name of Robert Ellery, by which our newly established lectureship is to be known, means little. A century ago it was a different story. Ellery was then one of the most respected scientists in the country, a leading astronomer who had been director of the Melbourne Observatory since it was founded in 1853, and who had taken it to a prominent position in international astronomy. Besides this he was a man of parts who spread his talents widely. He was a founder and long-term president of the Royal Society of Victoria, treasurer of the University Council, chairman of the committee of the Alfred Hospital, Trustee of the Public Library, the Art Gallery and the Museum, and he was an active member, latterly commander, of the local Torpedo and Signal Corps, a coastal defence unit manned by citizen soldiers. Late in life he became the first president of the Beekeepers’ Club. He was elected to the Royal Society and awarded a CMG: all in all, a man of character and achievement.