Robert S. Ball

Here's a comprehensive summary of the information available about Robert Stawell Ball:

Name: Robert Stawell Ball (often referred to as Sir Robert Ball or Robert S. Ball)

Lived: 1 July 1840 – 25 November 1913 (73 years old)

Nationality: Irish

Occupation: Astronomer, mathematician, science writer

Key Achievements:

• Founded the theory of screws, a branch of applied mechanics (1876)
• Royal Astronomer of Ireland at Dunsink Observatory (1877-1892)
• Lowndean Professor of Astronomy and Geometry at Cambridge University (1892-1913)
• Director of the Cambridge Observatory (1892-1913)
• Knighted in 1886 for his contributions to science
• Delivered the prestigious Royal Institution Christmas Lectures on Astronomy several times across the years (1881, 1887, 1892, 1898, 1900)
• Published numerous books and articles on astronomy and science, making complex topics accessible to a wider audience

Known Works:

• The Theory of Screws (1876)
• Experimental Mechanics (1879)
• Time and Tide: a Romance of the Moon (1889)
• The Cause of an Ice Age (1891)
• An Atlas of Astronomy (1892)
• Great Astronomers (1895)
• Star-Land: Being Talks With Young People About the Wonders of the Heavens (1899)

Legacy:

• Robert Stawell Ball is remembered for his significant contributions to astronomy and science communication.
• He played a crucial role in popularizing astronomy and making scientific concepts understandable to the general public.
• His work on screw theory continues to be relevant in the field of applied mechanics.

Additional Points to Consider:

• Ball's writings on astronomy were widely read during his time and helped to foster public interest in the subject.
• Some of his earlier works on topics like group marriage in Australia might reflect the limitations of anthropological understanding in the late 19th century.
• It's important to approach such works with a critical lens and consider the historical context.