Edmond Halley Biography and Timeline

Birth of Edmond Halley in London

Edmond Halley was born in the London area and later became a major English astronomer and geophysicist.

Halley Enters Queens College Oxford

Halley began studying at Queen's College Oxford and pursued mathematical astronomy while still an undergraduate.

Halley Sails to Saint Helena

Halley travelled to Saint Helena to catalogue southern stars not readily visible from England.

Southern Stars Catalogue Observations Continue

Halley made positional observations of southern hemisphere stars during his Saint Helena expedition.

Halley Elected Royal Society Fellow

The Royal Society elected Halley a fellow on 30 November in recognition of his scientific achievements.

Halley Returns from Atlantic Expedition

Halley returned to England with extensive observations that expanded European knowledge of southern skies.

Southern Star Catalogue Published

Halley published Catalogus Stellarum Australium, a pioneering catalogue of southern stars.

Oxford Degree Awarded by Royal Mandate

Halley received his Oxford master's degree through royal intervention despite interrupted undergraduate study.

Halley Visits Hevelius in Danzig

Halley travelled to Danzig to assess the astronomical observations of Johannes Hevelius.

Halley Travels through Continental Europe

Halley toured France and Italy while extending his contacts with European scientific investigators.

Halley Observes Returning Comet

Halley studied the comet later associated with his name, whose orbit he would subsequently calculate.

Halley Visit to Newton

Asks Newton what orbit follows from inverse-square attraction, prompting work leading to Principia.

Role range: 1656-1742

Halley Edits Philosophical Transactions

Halley served as editor of the Royal Society's Philosophical Transactions during a period of scientific exchange.

Halley Presents Newtonian Celestial Research

Halley supported the communication of Newton's developing gravitational theory to the Royal Society.

Publication of Principia

Finances and manages publication of Newton's Principia.

Role range: 1656-1742

Halley Oversees Principia Printing

Halley managed production of Newton's Principia and financed publication when institutional funds were limited.

Halley Writes Principia Prefatory Verse

Halley contributed a Latin poem praising Newton's achievement to the first edition of the Principia.

Halley Designs Improved Diving Bell

Halley devised a diving bell arrangement that supplied fresh air and allowed extended work underwater.

Oxford Savilian Appointment Unsuccessful

Halley was unsuccessful in his attempt to obtain the Savilian chair of astronomy at Oxford.

Halley Continues Magnetic Research

Halley investigated terrestrial magnetism, seeking explanations for changing compass directions across the globe.

Halley Publishes Breslau Mortality Analysis

Halley used Breslau mortality records to construct a life table useful for assessing life annuities.

Halley Studies Comet Orbit Patterns

Halley applied gravitational reasoning to reported comet observations in preparation for a comparative study.

Cometary Orbits

Applies Newtonian gravity to cometary paths and later predicts comet return.

Role range: 1656-1742

Halley Appointed Chester Mint Comptroller

Halley worked as comptroller at the Chester mint during the English coinage reform.

Paramour Voyage Begins for Magnetic Survey

Halley commanded the Paramour on a scientific expedition to measure magnetic variation at sea.

Atlantic Magnetic Measurements Continue

Halley used shipboard observations across the Atlantic to map differences in compass variation.

Halley Returns from Magnetic Expedition

Halley's seagoing research produced measurements valuable for understanding terrestrial magnetism and navigation.

Atlantic Magnetic Variation Chart Published

Halley published an innovative chart representing equal magnetic variation across the Atlantic.

Halley Surveys English Channel Tides

Halley investigated coastal and tidal conditions as part of his hydrographic work.

Halley Completes Channel Coastal Survey

Halley extended surveys of approaches to the British coast and improved navigational knowledge.

Halley Becomes Savilian Geometry Professor

Oxford appointed Halley Savilian Professor of Geometry, a post he held for the remainder of his life.

Halley Examines Adriatic Harbour Defences

Halley advised the Habsburg emperor on harbour and maritime engineering in the Adriatic region.

Halley Lectures on Mathematical Astronomy

At Oxford Halley promoted mathematical science and Newtonian approaches to celestial mechanics.

Synopsis of the Astronomy of Comets

Publishes cometary orbit calculations accounting for perturbations by Jupiter and Saturn.

Role range: 1656-1742

Halley Oversees Arabic Mathematical Translation

Halley contributed to the editing and publication of ancient mathematical works translated from Arabic.