Earl of George Parker Macclesfield

author

Earl of George Parker Macclesfield

d. 1764

Better known in his day as a nobleman with a serious passion for science, this 18th-century British peer balanced public office with a lasting commitment to astronomy. He helped bring scientific work into elite society and left his mark through both observation and leadership.

1 Audiobook

Remarks upon the solar and the lunar years, the cycle of 19 years, commonly called the golden number, the epact, and a method of finding the time of Easter, as it is now observed in most parts of Europe

Remarks upon the solar and the lunar years, the cycle of 19 years, commonly called the golden number, the epact, and a method of finding the time of Easter, as it is now observed in most parts of Europe

by Earl of George Parker Macclesfield

About the author

George Parker, 2nd Earl of Macclesfield, was a British politician, peer, and astronomer who died on March 17, 1764. Although he served in public life, he is especially remembered for his scientific interests and for the role he played in supporting astronomy in Britain.

He was taught by the mathematician William Jones and developed a deep interest in observational science. At Shirburn Castle, the family seat in Oxfordshire, he established an observatory and carried out astronomical work there, showing that his interest in science was far more than ceremonial.

Macclesfield also became an important figure in the scientific world of his time. He served as president of the Royal Society from 1752 until his death, a sign of the respect he had earned among leading scholars. His life offers a vivid example of how politics, aristocratic life, and scientific curiosity could come together in 18th-century Britain.