Wales, William (1734? - 1798)

Summary

William Wales was an astronomer and mathematician who was employed by Astronomer Royal Nevil Maskelyne to make calculations related to the determination of longitude. In 1769 Wales was in Hudson Bay to observe the transit of Venus. This led directly to his appointment by the Board of Longitude to accompany James Cook in H.M.S. Resolution on Cook's second voyage of discovery in the Southern and Pacific Oceans. Together with William Bayly, astronomer in the accompanying ship H.M.S. Adventure, Wales was responsible for testing the experimental chronometers used for determining longitude. His log of the voyage recorded the use and testing of his equipment and as well as observations made throughout the journey. George Vancouver, Midshipman in H.M.S. Resolution, learned astronomy with Wales during the voyage, which proved useful in Vancouver's subsequent explorations in the Pacific. Wales's astronomical observations made during the voyage were published in Cook's account. On his return to London Wales was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, became Master of the Royal Mathematical School, Christ's Hospital, and in 1795, was appointed Secretary of the Board of Longitude.

Details

Chronology

July 1772 - July 1775

Career position - Astronomer, H.M.S. Resolution for James Cook's second voyage

1776 - 1798

Award - Fellow, Royal Society, London

1795 - 1798

Career position - Secretary, Board of Longitude

Related entries

Published resources

Journal Articles

• Orchiston, Wayne and Howse, D., 'From Transit of Venus to Teaching Navigation: the Work of William Wales', Journal of Navigation, 53 (2000), 156-166, https://doi.org/10.1017/S0373463399008553. Details