James Melville Gilliss
Encyclopedia
James Melville Gilliss was an astronomer, United States Navy
officer and founder of the United States Naval Observatory
.
at the age of 15. He served on the Delaware
, the Java and the Concord.
In 1831 he started his studies at the University of Virginia
, and went to Paris
for further studies one year later. He got the position of an assistant at the Depot of Charts and Instruments in Washington in 1836. He was also responsible for astronomical observations.
He made an astronomical research journey under Captain Charles Wilkes
in 1837. He made observations on the differences of longitude by means of moon-culminations, made metrological observations and worked on new instruments.
Gilliss was made a lieutenant
in 1838.
In August 1842, the U.S. Congress passed a bill authorizing the creation of an observatory, intended to be a "National Observatory" by John Quincy Adams
who was an amateur astronomer it came to be under the command of the navy and thus for 12 years it was alternately called the National Observatory and the U.S. Naval Observatory although the latter was used less until a bill was passed clarifying what it would be officially called. Until that point every item, every document and letter had to be duplicated because of the two names of "National Observatory" and "Navy Observatory.". This was but another time consuming duty that came to Matthew Fontaine Maury
who headed the observatory from its beginning until 1861. Another of the many duties of superintendent M. F. Maury during this time period was to oversee all publications that embraced every maritime survey.
Matthew Fontaine Maury
was the first superintendent who headed the "National" / "Naval" Observatory and he made the observatory internationally known due to his many works including charting the sea and his instigation of the first international conference of Nations that gathered to work under Cmdr M. F. Maury's plans for charting the seas for the safety and betterment of all (1853 Brussels Conference) for 40 years before resigning.
When Maury resigned to serve his state, his home, kin and friends. Lieut. Gillis was then placed in charge of observatory. He had previously been placed in charge of obtaining the instruments needed and books that were to be used in the observatory. It would be the first national research observatory in the U.S. When it was first created and everything appeared to be in order it was discovered that the concrete beneath the telescopes and other equipment was weak and damp which could ruin the delicate instruments. But Gillis had failed in overseeing the actual building and placing of instruments. Thus all had to be removed while the building itself was repaired. Gillis was assigned elsewhere and became the second superintendent of this observatory lasting from 1861 until his death in 1865 - only 4 years total as opposed to Maury's long time and highly successful work there.
,a minesweeper
built in 1945.
, an oceanographic research ship launched 1962.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
officer and founder of the United States Naval Observatory
United States Naval Observatory
The United States Naval Observatory is one of the oldest scientific agencies in the United States, with a primary mission to produce Positioning, Navigation, and Timing for the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Department of Defense...
.
History
Gilliss joined the Navy in 1827 as a midshipmanMidshipman
A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya...
at the age of 15. He served on the Delaware
USS Delaware (1820)
The third USS Delaware of the United States Navy was a 74-gun ship of the line, named for the state of Delaware.She was laid down at Norfolk Navy Yard in August 1817 and launched on 21 October 1820...
, the Java and the Concord.
In 1831 he started his studies at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
, and went to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
for further studies one year later. He got the position of an assistant at the Depot of Charts and Instruments in Washington in 1836. He was also responsible for astronomical observations.
He made an astronomical research journey under Captain Charles Wilkes
Charles Wilkes
Charles Wilkes was an American naval officer and explorer. He led the United States Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842 and commanded the ship in the Trent Affair during the American Civil War...
in 1837. He made observations on the differences of longitude by means of moon-culminations, made metrological observations and worked on new instruments.
Gilliss was made a lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
in 1838.
In August 1842, the U.S. Congress passed a bill authorizing the creation of an observatory, intended to be a "National Observatory" by John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams was the sixth President of the United States . He served as an American diplomat, Senator, and Congressional representative. He was a member of the Federalist, Democratic-Republican, National Republican, and later Anti-Masonic and Whig parties. Adams was the son of former...
who was an amateur astronomer it came to be under the command of the navy and thus for 12 years it was alternately called the National Observatory and the U.S. Naval Observatory although the latter was used less until a bill was passed clarifying what it would be officially called. Until that point every item, every document and letter had to be duplicated because of the two names of "National Observatory" and "Navy Observatory.". This was but another time consuming duty that came to Matthew Fontaine Maury
Matthew Fontaine Maury
Matthew Fontaine Maury , United States Navy was an American astronomer, historian, oceanographer, meteorologist, cartographer, author, geologist, and educator....
who headed the observatory from its beginning until 1861. Another of the many duties of superintendent M. F. Maury during this time period was to oversee all publications that embraced every maritime survey.
Matthew Fontaine Maury
Matthew Fontaine Maury
Matthew Fontaine Maury , United States Navy was an American astronomer, historian, oceanographer, meteorologist, cartographer, author, geologist, and educator....
was the first superintendent who headed the "National" / "Naval" Observatory and he made the observatory internationally known due to his many works including charting the sea and his instigation of the first international conference of Nations that gathered to work under Cmdr M. F. Maury's plans for charting the seas for the safety and betterment of all (1853 Brussels Conference) for 40 years before resigning.
When Maury resigned to serve his state, his home, kin and friends. Lieut. Gillis was then placed in charge of observatory. He had previously been placed in charge of obtaining the instruments needed and books that were to be used in the observatory. It would be the first national research observatory in the U.S. When it was first created and everything appeared to be in order it was discovered that the concrete beneath the telescopes and other equipment was weak and damp which could ruin the delicate instruments. But Gillis had failed in overseeing the actual building and placing of instruments. Thus all had to be removed while the building itself was repaired. Gillis was assigned elsewhere and became the second superintendent of this observatory lasting from 1861 until his death in 1865 - only 4 years total as opposed to Maury's long time and highly successful work there.
Published works
- The United States Astronomical Expedition to the Southern Hemispheres in 1849-'52 (2 vols., Washington, 1855 et seq.)
- An Account of the Total Eclipse of the Sun on September 7, 1858 (Washington, 1859)
Honored in ship naming
James M. Gilliss was honored in two ship namings by the U.S. Navy:,a minesweeper
Minesweeper (ship)
A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations.-History:...
built in 1945.
, an oceanographic research ship launched 1962.