Edward S. Holden

Name: Edward Singleton Holden (often referred to as Edward S. Holden)

Lifespan: Born November 5, 1846, in St. Louis, Missouri, USA - Died March 6, 1914, in West Point, New York, USA

Occupation: Astronomer, Librarian, Educator, Author

Key Achievements:

• Director of Washburn Observatory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1881-1885)
• Fifth President of the University of California (1885-1888)
• First Director of the Lick Observatory (1888-1897)
• Discovered 22 NGC objects (galaxies and nebulae) during his work at Washburn Observatory
• Elected to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1885
• Authored numerous books on astronomy, science for children, and other topics like flags and heraldry. Some notable works include:
  • Sir William Herschel: His Life and Works (1881)
  • The Mogul emperors of Hindustan, A.D. 1398 – A.D. 1707 (1895)
  • On the Mughal Emperors (1895)
  • Real Things In Nature. A Reading Book of Science for American Boys and Girls (1916)

Legacy:

• Holden is remembered as a prominent figure in American astronomy during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• He played a key role in establishing the Lick Observatory and contributed to scientific research and public understanding of astronomy.
• Several celestial objects are named after him, including the asteroid 872 Holda, the crater Holden on the Moon, and the crater Holden on Mars.

Additional Information:

• While details of his early education are unclear, he received secondary education at private schools in Cambridge, Massachusetts and later attended the Academy of Washington University in St. Louis.
• He served as a librarian at the US Naval Observatory early in his career.
• Although his observations at Washburn Observatory faced criticism due to inaccuracies, his leadership and contributions to the field of astronomy remain significant.
• He was a founding member of the Cosmos Club, a prestigious social club in Washington D.C.