William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse
The Earl of Rosse | |
|---|---|
| 27th President of the Royal Society | |
| In office 1848–1854 | |
| Preceded by | Spencer Compton |
| Succeeded by | John Wrottesley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 June 1800 York, England |
| Died | 31 October 1867 (aged 67) Monkstown, County Dublin, Ireland |
| Alma mater | Trinity College Dublin Magdalen College, Oxford |
| Notable work | Leviathan of Parsonstown |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 13, including Lawrence and Charles |
| Parent(s) | Lawrence Parsons, 2nd Earl of Rosse Alice Lloyd |
| Awards |
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Astronomy |
| Institutions | Birr Castle |
William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse KP FRS (17 June 1800 – 31 October 1867), was an English engineer and astronomer. He built several giant telescopes. His 72-inch telescope, built in 1845 and colloquially known as the "Leviathan of Parsonstown", was the world's largest telescope, in terms of aperture size, until the early 20th century. From April 1807 until February 1841, he was styled as Baron Oxmantown.