In our sketch of the life of Flamsteed, we have referred to the circumstances under which the famous Observatory that crowns Greenwich Hill was founded.  We have also had occasion to mention that among the illustrious successors of Flamsteed both Halley and Bradley are to be included.  But a remarkable development of Greenwich Observatory from the modest establishment of early days took place under the direction of the distinguished astronomer whose name is at the head of this chapter.  By his labours this temple of science was organised to such a degree of perfection that it has served in many respects as a model for other astronomical establishments in various parts of the world.  An excellent account of Airy’s career has been given by Professor H. H. Turner, in the obituary notice published by the Royal Astronomical Society.  To this I am indebted for many of the particulars here to be set down concerning the life of the illustrious Astronomer Royal.

The family from which Airy took his origin came from Kentmere, in Westmoreland.  His father, William Airy, belonged to a Lincolnshire branch of the same stock.  His mother’s maiden name was Ann Biddell, and her family resided at Playford, near Ipswich.  William Airy held some small government post which necessitated an occasional change of residence to different parts of the country, and thus it was that his son, George Biddell, came to be born at Alnwick, on 27th July, 1801.  The boy’s education, so far as his school life was concerned was partly conducted at Hereford and partly at Colchester.  He does not, however, seem to have derived much benefit from the hours which he passed in the schoolroom.  But it was delightful to him to spend his holidays on the farm at Playford, where his uncle, Arthur Biddell, showed him much kindness.  The scenes of his early youth remained dear to Airy throughout his life, and in subsequent years he himself owned a house at Playford, to which it was his special delight to resort for relaxation during the course of his arduous career.  In spite of the defects of his school training he seems to have manifested such remarkable abilities that his uncle decided to enter him in Cambridge University.  He accordingly joined Trinity College as a sizar in 1819, and after a brilliant career in mathematical and physical science he graduated as Senior Wrangler in 1823.  It may be noted as an exceptional circumstance that, notwithstanding the demands on his time in studying for his tripos, he was able, after his second term of residence, to support himself entirely by taking private pupils.  In the year after he had taken his degree he was elected to a Fellowship at Trinity College.