Abstract
SIR WILLIAM PECK had occupied the post of City Astronomer of Edinburgh, in charge of the Calton Hill Observatory, since 1889, when the erection of the new Royal Observatory on Blackford Hill set the older building, with most of its instruments, at liberty. He was of an active and inventive mind, and interested in all mechanical pursuits, besides astronomy. He constructed many of his own instruments. He was, in addition, a popular lecturer of considerable power and attraction, and was the author of a popular “Hand-.book and Atlas of Astronomy” and other works. The City Observatory was devoted chiefly to showing the heavens to visitors - a service much appreciated by the citizens. For this purpose a six-inch photo visual telescope, presented to the observatory, was of good service. In pursuance of the science, Sir William Peck visited Spain for the eclipse of 1905, and Egypt in 1908. He received the honour of knighthood in 1917. He died on March 7, after a long illness, aged sixty-three years.
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[Obituaries]. Nature 115, 503 (1925). https://doi.org/10.1038/115503c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/115503c0