Temple Chevallier
Encyclopedia
Temple Chevallier was a British
clergyman, astronomer
, and mathematician. Between 1847 and 1849, he made important observations regarding sunspots. Chevallier has been called "a remarkable Victorian polymath
" (Kenworthy, 1994). Not only did he write many papers on astronomy and physics, he also published a translation of the Apostolic Fathers
that went into a second edition, and translated the works of Clement of Alexandria
, Polycarp
and Ignatius of Antioch
.
Educated at Pembroke College
, Cambridge
, he was ordained a priest in 1818. He became a Fellow of Pembroke College a year later. He was a Fellow and Tutor of Catharine Hall (St Catharine's College
, Cambridge
) in 1820 and Hulsean lecturer in Divinity from 1826 to 1827.
His lectures were published as Of the proofs of the divine power and wisdom derived from the study of astronomy in 1835.
That same year, Chevallier was invited to become Professor of Astronomy at the newly-founded University of Durham
. A chair of Mathematics and Astronomy existed at the University of Durham between 1841–1871; Chevallier was the one to hold this post. He also served as Reader in Hebrew 1835-1871, Registrar 1835-1865, and from 1834-1835 also assisted with lectures in Divinity.
He was instrumental in establishing the Durham University Observatory
(in 1839), serving as its Director for thirty years, and from which he made important observations of Jupiter's moons and regular meteorological
observations. From 1835 until his death, he also served as perpetual Parish Priest at Esh
, just outside Durham, where he founded the village school and restored the church.
After his resignation in 1871 from his academic posts following a stroke
, he died two years later.
Chevallier had married, in 1825, Catherine Wheelwright, the daughter of an American Loyalist. She died in 1858. He had three children: Catherine Temple, Alicia Temple and Temple (who died as a child).
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
clergyman, astronomer
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
, and mathematician. Between 1847 and 1849, he made important observations regarding sunspots. Chevallier has been called "a remarkable Victorian polymath
Polymath
A polymath is a person whose expertise spans a significant number of different subject areas. In less formal terms, a polymath may simply be someone who is very knowledgeable...
" (Kenworthy, 1994). Not only did he write many papers on astronomy and physics, he also published a translation of the Apostolic Fathers
Apostolic Fathers
The Apostolic Fathers are a small number of Early Christian authors who lived and wrote in the second half of the first century and the first half of the second century. They are acknowledged as leaders in the early church, although their writings were not included in the New Testament...
that went into a second edition, and translated the works of Clement of Alexandria
Clement of Alexandria
Titus Flavius Clemens , known as Clement of Alexandria , was a Christian theologian and the head of the noted Catechetical School of Alexandria. Clement is best remembered as the teacher of Origen...
, Polycarp
Polycarp
Saint Polycarp was a 2nd century Christian bishop of Smyrna. According to the Martyrdom of Polycarp, he died a martyr, bound and burned at the stake, then stabbed when the fire failed to touch him...
and Ignatius of Antioch
Ignatius of Antioch
Ignatius of Antioch was among the Apostolic Fathers, was the third Bishop of Antioch, and was a student of John the Apostle. En route to his martyrdom in Rome, Ignatius wrote a series of letters which have been preserved as an example of very early Christian theology...
.
Educated at Pembroke College
Pembroke College, Cambridge
Pembroke College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The college has over seven hundred students and fellows, and is the third oldest college of the university. Physically, it is one of the university's larger colleges, with buildings from almost every century since its...
, Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, he was ordained a priest in 1818. He became a Fellow of Pembroke College a year later. He was a Fellow and Tutor of Catharine Hall (St Catharine's College
St Catharine's College, Cambridge
St. Catharine’s College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Founded in 1473, the college is often referred to informally by the nickname "Catz".-History:...
, Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
) in 1820 and Hulsean lecturer in Divinity from 1826 to 1827.
His lectures were published as Of the proofs of the divine power and wisdom derived from the study of astronomy in 1835.
That same year, Chevallier was invited to become Professor of Astronomy at the newly-founded University of Durham
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
. A chair of Mathematics and Astronomy existed at the University of Durham between 1841–1871; Chevallier was the one to hold this post. He also served as Reader in Hebrew 1835-1871, Registrar 1835-1865, and from 1834-1835 also assisted with lectures in Divinity.
He was instrumental in establishing the Durham University Observatory
Durham University Observatory
The Durham University Observatory is a weather observatory owned and operated by the University of Durham. It is a Grade II listed building located at Potters Bank, Durham and was founded in 1839 initially as an astronomical and meteorological observatory by Temple Chevallier until 1937 when the...
(in 1839), serving as its Director for thirty years, and from which he made important observations of Jupiter's moons and regular meteorological
Meteorology
Meteorology is the interdisciplinary scientific study of the atmosphere. Studies in the field stretch back millennia, though significant progress in meteorology did not occur until the 18th century. The 19th century saw breakthroughs occur after observing networks developed across several countries...
observations. From 1835 until his death, he also served as perpetual Parish Priest at Esh
Esh, County Durham
Esh is a village and civil parish in County Durham, England. It is situated about five miles to the west of Durham.Esh Village or Old Esh as it is sometimes known dates from Anglo-Saxon times. Esh is an Anglo-Saxon name meaning Ash Tree and the spelling reflects the old Northumbrian dialect.In the...
, just outside Durham, where he founded the village school and restored the church.
After his resignation in 1871 from his academic posts following a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
, he died two years later.
Chevallier had married, in 1825, Catherine Wheelwright, the daughter of an American Loyalist. She died in 1858. He had three children: Catherine Temple, Alicia Temple and Temple (who died as a child).
Legacy
- Chevallier was the first British astronomer to institute regular and continuous observation of sunspotSunspotSunspots are temporary phenomena on the photosphere of the Sun that appear visibly as dark spots compared to surrounding regions. They are caused by intense magnetic activity, which inhibits convection by an effect comparable to the eddy current brake, forming areas of reduced surface temperature....
s.
- He is entablatured in the Cathedral Chapel of the Nine Altars (Durham) and is portrayed in the Great Hall of Durham CastleDurham CastleDurham Castle is a Norman castle in the city of Durham, England, which has been wholly occupied since 1840 by University College, Durham. It is open to the general public to visit, but only through guided tours, since it is in use as a working building and is home to over 100 students...
(University College, DurhamUniversity College, DurhamUniversity College, commonly known as Castle, is a college of the University of Durham in England. Centred around Durham Castle on Palace Green, it was founded in 1832 and is the oldest of Durham's colleges. As with all of Durham's colleges, it is, independently of the University, a listed body...
) as a large, imposing man, with a heavy beard.
- The lunar crater ChevallierChevallier (crater)Chevallier is a lunar crater that is located in the northeastern part of the Moon's near side, about a crater diameter east-southeast of the prominent crater Atlas. To the south-southeast of Chevallier is the flooded crater Shuckburgh....
is named after him.
Further reading
- Kenworthy, J.M., 1994, "The Durham University Observatory meteorological record," Observatories and Climatological Research, Occasional Publication, no. 29, Department of Geography, University of Dunham.
- Kenworth, J.M. and Lowes, M.D., 1993, "The Chevalier family: their contribution to meteorology in the north-east of England," Weather, 48 (2), 51-6.