By the death of Sir William Huggins on May 13, 1910, the Royal Society lost a past President and one of its oldest and most distinguished Fellows. He was one of the earliest to apply the spectroscope to the analysis of the light of the stars. From the importance and diversity of the discoveries which he made and the methods which he originated, he may with justice be called the founder of Astrophysics. It was his good fortune to assist in and follow the progress of this branch of knowledge for nearly half a century. William Huggins was born in London on February 7, 1824, his father being in business in the City. He was entered at the City of London School in the first term of 1837, and stayed there till Christmas, 1843. In the School records it is stated that he gave the German Declamation in praise of the founder, John Carpenter, on Friday, July 28, 1843. After leaving school he continues his studies under private tutors, paying attention to classics, modern languages, and Hebrew. After a few years in business he was able to retire and devote his life to scientific pursuits.
Obituary notices of fellows deceased