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Contemporary account from 1850

 

Date: 1850
Author: Robert Main, First Assistant at the Observatory
Title: The Observatories of London and its vicinity
About: This account was originally published in the book London and its Vicinity exhibited in 1851, (John Wheale, London, 1851). Intended to be an annual publication, a new edition was published in 1852. In 1854, the volume was rebublished by HG Bohn (London) under the title The Pictorial Handbook of London. Although Main's authorship is not acknowledged, p.29 of his book Rudimentary Astronomy makes reference to the fact that he was the author. The account contains the earliest known image of the Meridian Building following the alterations that were made to accomodate the Airy Transit Circle.
Images: Seven



Click here to read the account as published in 1852