From an observatory he constructed on Saint Helena in 1676–77, Halley catalogued the southern celestial hemisphere and recorded a transit of Mercury across the Sun. He realised that a similar transit of Venus could be used to determine the distances between Earth, Venus, and the Sun. Upon his return to England, he was made a fellow of the Royal Society, and with the help of King Charles II, was granted a master's degree from Oxford.
Life and Career
Halley encouraged and helped fund the publication of Isaac Newton's influential Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica (1687). From observations Halley made in September 1682, he used Newton's law of universal gravitation to compute the periodicity of Halley's Comet in his 1705 Synopsis of the Astronomy of Comets. It was named after him upon its predicted return in 1758, which he did not live to see.
Beginning in 1698, Halley made sailing expeditions and made observations on the conditions of terrestrial magnetism. In 1718, he discovered the proper motion of the "fixed stars".
Key Facts
- Born: November 8, 1656 in Haggerston, Middlesex, England
- Died: 1742
- Field: Science
Legacy and Impact
The influence of Edmond Halley extends far beyond his own lifetime. He fundamentally shaped our understanding of the natural world, and his discoveries and theories remain foundational to this day.
Though he passed away in 1742, his ideas continue to be studied, debated, and built upon by scholars and practitioners worldwide.
Edmond Halley remains one of the most celebrated minds to emerge from England, a testament to the rich intellectual heritage of the region.
Notable Geniuses from England
England has produced many remarkable minds. Alongside Edmond Halley:
View all geniuses from England →
Discover more brilliant minds in Science
Explore Science GeniusesRelated Articles
Explore More
Read the full profile of Edmond Halley
View Edmond Halley's Profile →