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The staff of the Magnetical and Meteorological Observatory (1840–1967)

The entries below have been extracted from the introductory sections of the published observations as follows:

	1840–1847	Magnetical and Meteorological Observations (annual volumes, except 1840–41)
	1848–1925	Results of the Magnetical and Meteorological Observations (annual volumes)
	1926–1952	Results of the Magnetic and Meteorological Observations (annual volumes)
	1953–1955	Results of the Magnetic Observations (annual volumes)
	1956–1964	Royal Observatory Greenwich Bulletins Numbers 17 (1956), 146 (1959-61), 153 (1962-4)
	1964–1967	Geomagnetic Bulletins of the Institute of Geological Sciences No.1

1840–1841

The number of persons regularly employed in the Magnetic and Meteorological Observations is three, namely-

Mr. James Glaisher, Superintendent, Mr. Edwin Dunkin, Mr. John Russell Hind.

In cases of illness or absence of one of these persons, it is necessary to detach an assistant from the Astronomical establishment.

The order of observations is arranged every week, and usually proceeds on the following principle. Denoting the three assistants by A, B, C, three complete days’ work will be thus disposed-

A	from	12^h	(midnight)	to	20^h
B	from	22^h		to	2^h
A	from	4^h		to	10^h
B	from	12^h	(midnight)	to	20^h
C	from	22^h		to	2^h
B	from	4^h		to	10^h
C	from	12^h	(midnight)	to	20^h
A	from	22^h		to	2^h
C	from	4^h		to	10^h

1842

The number of persons regularly employed in the Magnetic and Meteorological Observations during the year 1842 was three, namely-

Mr. Glaisher, Superintendent, Mr. Edwin Dunkin, Mr. John Russell Hind.

In cases of illness or of absence of one of these persons, or of unusual pressure of work, it was necessary to detach an assistant from the Astronomical establishment.

The order of observations is arranged every week, and usually proceeds on the following principle. Denoting the three assistants by A, B, C, the work of three complete days will be thus disposed-

A	from	12^h	(midnight)	to	20^h
B	from	22^h		to	2^h
A	from	4^h		to	10^h
B	from	12^h	(midnight)	to	20^h
C	from	22^h		to	2^h
B	from	4^h		to	10^h
C	from	12^h	(midnight)	to	20^h
A	from	22^h		to	2^h
C	from	4^h		to	10^h

1843

The number of persons regularly employed in the Magnetic and Meteorological Observations during the greater part of the year 1843 was four, namely-

Mr. James Glaisher, Superintendent, Mr. Edwin Dunkin, Mr. John Russell Hind, Mr. James Paul.

The order of observations is arranged every week, and usually proceeds on the following principle. Mr. Glaisher usually takes one complete day’s observations in each week; the remainder of the observations is equally divided between the three other assistants, excepting in the case of illness, or of absence of one person, and in that case the observations are equally divided between the remaining three assistants. Denoting three assistants by A, B, C, the work of three complete days will be thus disposed-

A	from	12^h	(midnight)	to	20^h
B	from	22^h		to	2^h
A	from	4^h		to	10^h
B	from	12^h	(midnight)	to	20^h
C	from	22^h		to	2^h
B	from	4^h		to	10^h
C	from	12^h	(midnight)	to	20^h
A	from	22^h		to	2^h
C	from	4^h		to	10^h

1844

Four persons were regularly employed in the Magnetic and Meteorological Observations during the greater part of the year 1844. During part of the year these persons were-

Mr. James Glaisher, Superintendent. Mr. Edwin Dunkin. Mr. John Russell Hind. Mr. James Paul.

Mr Hind and Mr. Paul were succeeded in the autumn by Mr. Hugh Breen, junior, and Mr. Charles Dilkes Lovelace.

A	from	12^h	(midnight)	to	20^h
B	from	22^h		to	2^h
A	from	4^h		to	10^h
B	from	12^h	(midnight)	to	20^h
C	from	22^h		to	2^h
B	from	4^h		to	10^h
C	from	12^h	(midnight)	to	20^h
A	from	22^h		to	2^h
C	from	4^h		to	10^h

1845

Four persons were regularly employed in the Magnetic and Meteorological Observations during the year 1845. During part of the year these persons were-

Mr. James Glaisher, Superintendent. Mr. Edwin Dunkin. Mr. Hugh Breen, junior. Mr. Charles Dilkes Lovelace.

Near the end of October, Mr. Edwin Dunkin was transferred to the Astronomical Department, and he was succeeded by Mr. Thomas Downs, who had been employed in the Computations connected with the Reduction of the Ancient Greenwich Planetary and Lunar Observations.

The order of observations is arranged every week, and usually proceeds on the principle of an equal division of observations among the three junior assistants; excepting that at times Mr. Glaisher has taken a complete day’s observations. At all times, in cases of illness, or of absence of one person, the observations are equally divided between the three remaining assistants. Denoting three assistants by A, B, C, the work of three complete days will be thus disposed-

A	from	12^h	(midnight)	to	20^h
B	from	22^h		to	2^h
A	from	4^h		to	10^h
B	from	12^h	(midnight)	to	20^h
C	from	22^h		to	2^h
B	from	4^h		to	10^h
C	from	12^h	(midnight)	to	20^h
A	from	22^h		to	2^h
C	from	4^h		to	10^h

1846

Four persons were regularly employed in the Magnetic and Meteorological Observations during the year 1846 till near the end of October. These persons were-

Mr. James Glaisher, Superintendent. Mr. Hugh Breen. Mr. Charles Dilkes Lovelace. Mr. Thomas Downs.

Near the end of October, Mr. George Humphreys was attached, so that from October 26 to the end of the year five persons were employed.

A	from	12^h	(midnight)	to	20^h
B	from	22^h		to	2^h
A	from	4^h		to	10^h
B	from	12^h	(midnight)	to	20^h
C	from	22^h		to	2^h
B	from	4^h		to	10^h
C	from	12^h	(midnight)	to	20^h
A	from	22^h		to	2^h
C	from	4^h		to	10^h

1847

Four persons were regularly employed in the Magnetic and Meteorological Observations during the year 1847. These persons were-

Mr. James Glaisher, Superintendent. Mr. Charles Dilkes Lovelace. Mr. Thomas Downs. Mr. George Humphreys.

Mr. Hugh Breen, who in preceding years was attached to this department, was in February transferred to the Astronomical Department of the Observatory.

A	from	12^h	(midnight)	to	20^h
B	from	22^h		to	2^h
A	from	4^h		to	10^h
B	from	12^h	(midnight)	to	20^h
C	from	22^h		to	2^h
B	from	4^h		to	10^h
C	from	12^h	(midnight)	to	20^h
A	from	22^h		to	2^h
C	from	4^h		to	10^h

1848–51

See 1852

1852

The establishment of Assistants in the Magnetical and Meteorological Department of the Royal Observatory, as it existed in the year 1847, will be found in the Introduction to the Volume of the Magnetical and Meteorological Observations for that year, at page lxxx. Since that time the following alterations have occurred:-

In February 1848, Mr. Lovelace resigned, and was replaced by Mr. John Charles Henderson.

In 1849, the establishment of observers was reduced, with the intention of carrying on the observations and reductions on a more limited scale, and the only assistants retained were Mr. Glaisher the Superintendent, and Mr. Henderson; Mr. Humphreys about this time having resigned. Mr. Downs was still, however, employed as a computer to the establishment.

In 1852, on the occasion of the death of Mr. Ellis, Mr. Henderson was transferred to the Astronomical Department of the Observatory, and his place was filled by Mr. Downs.

No important change has since that time occurred in the establishment; but in general one and sometimes two or more supernumerary assistants are found necessary to assist in the observations and reductions.

1853

The establishment of Assistants in the Magnetical and Meteorological Department of the Royal Observatory consisted during the year 1853, of Mr. Glaisher the Superintendent, and Mr. Downs, with two or three supernumerary assistants, to assist in the observations and reductions.

1854

The establishment of Assistants in the Magnetical and Meteorological Department of the Royal Observatory consisted during the year 1854, of Mr. Glaisher, the Superintendent, and Mr. Downs; with two or three supernumerary assistants, to aid in the observations and reductions.

1855

The establishment of Assistants in the Magnetical and Meteorological Department of the Royal Observatory consisted during the year 1855, of Mr. Glaisher, the Superintendent, and Mr. Downs; with three supernumerary assistants, to aid in the observations and reductions.

1856

The establishment of Assistants in the Magnetical and Meteorological Department of the Royal Observatory consisted during the year 1856, of Mr. James Glaisher, the Superintendent, and Mr. Thomas Downs; with three supernumerary assistants, to aid in the observations and reductions.

1857

The establishment of Assistants in the Magnetical and Meteorological Department of the Royal Observatory consisted during the year 1857, of Mr. James Glaisher, the Superintendent, and Mr. Thomas Downs; with three supernumerary assistants, to aid in the observations and reductions.

1858

The establishment of Assistants in the Magnetical and Meteorological Department of the Royal Observatory consisted during the year 1858, of Mr. James Glaisher, the Superintendent, and Mr. Thomas Downs; with three supernumerary assistants, to aid in the observations and reductions.

1859

The establishment of Assistants in the Magnetical and Meteorological Department of the Royal Observatory consisted during the year 1859, of Mr. James Glaisher, the Superintendent, and Mr. Thomas Downs; with three supernumerary assistants, to aid in the observations and reductions.

1860

The establishment of Assistants in the Magnetical and Meteorological Department of the Royal Observatory consisted during the year 1860, of Mr. James Glaisher, the Superintendent, and Mr. Thomas Downs; with three supernumerary assistants, to aid in the observations and reductions.

1861

The establishment of Assistants in the Magnetical and Meteorological Department of the Royal Observatory consisted during the year 1861, of Mr. James Glaisher, the Superintendent, and Mr. Thomas Downs; with three supernumerary assistants, to aid in the observations and reductions.

1862

The personal establishment during the year 1862 has consisted of James Glaisher, Esq., F.R.S., Superintendent of the Magnetical and Meteorological Department, and Mr. Thomas Downs, Assistant.

Four junior computers have usually been attached to the Department.

1863

The personal establishment during the year 1863 has consisted of James Glaisher, Esq., F.R.S., Superintendent of the Magnetical and Meteorological Department, and Mr. Thomas Downs, Assistant.