George Biddell Airy | |
|---|---|
 George Biddell Airy in 1891 | |
| Born | 27 July 1801 Alnwick, Northumberland, England |
| Died | 2 January 1892 (aged 90) Greenwich, London, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Education | Colchester Royal Grammar School |
| Alma mater | Trinity College, Cambridge |
| Known for | Seventh Astronomer Royal See full list |
| Awards | Smith's Prize (1823) Copley Medal (1831) RAS Gold Medal (1833, 1846) Lalande Prize (1834) Royal Medal (1845) Albert Medal (1876) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Astronomy, mathematics |
| Institutions | Trinity College, Cambridge Royal Society |
| Academic advisors | George Peacock |
Sir George Biddell Airy KCB FRS (/ˈɛəri/; 27 July 1801 – 2 January 1892) was an English mathematician and astronomer, as well as the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics from 1826 to 1828 and the seventh Astronomer Royal from 1835 to 1881. His many achievements include work on planetary orbits, measuring the mean density of the Earth, a method of solution of two-dimensional problems in solid mechanics and, in his role as Astronomer Royal, establishing Greenwich as the location of the prime meridian.